Zimbabwe: Information on whether a woman who is forced into a prearranged marriage by her parents would have recourse to the courts, on whether she could obtain legal counsel, on whether she could have access to women's groups, and on whether these groups could be able to assist her in legal matters and personal matters such as lodging

According to a representative of the Women's Action Group in Harare, Zimbabwe, women involved in prearranged marriages tend to be young,  uneducated and from rural areas (9 Apr. 1997). The representative stated that such a woman would find it difficult to avail herself of a lawyer's services because she would have no money (ibid.).  She further stated that women's groups in Zimbabwe are engaged in raising women's awareness of social issues and providing counselling. She emphasized, however, that women's groups do not have shelters for women and in most cases discourage women from leaving abusive situations because they would have nowhere to go and society would frown upon them (ibid.). She stated that their parents would not take them back particularly if they come from large families (ibid.). She indicated that the government is trying to end violence against women and that the police have received training on domestic violence issues. She reiterated, however, that despite the efforts of the government and women's groups, it is difficult to end practices such as prearranged marriages because they are deeply rooted in Zimbabwean society (ibid.).

This information was corroborated by a CIDA country programme officer for Zimbabwe in a 9 April 1997 interview. The officer stated that in Zimbabwe the extended family is very important and that a woman has no identity outside that of her marital family or extended family (ibid.). A woman who refuses to conform to societal norms or who leaves her husband would have no family to turn to.  He stated that such a woman would become "destitute and ostracized and would find herself in a very serious situation" (ibid.). He explained that Zimbabwe has two legal systems(the Supreme Court and the traditional legal system( elders dispense law in the latter system (ibid.). He stated that Zimbabwe is a "fairly" progressive society and although everybody has access to legal counsel, there are financial constraints. Women, he stated, are financially disempowered and unless a woman is very well-off, cannot afford to access the legal system (ibid.). He stated that women's NGOs such as the Legal Resources Foundation provide legal counselling (ibid.). He indicated that the emancipation of women in a country like Zimbabwe is a "daunting process. It is going to take an extremely long time for women to have the same rights as men" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Women's Action Group, Harare. 9 April 1997. Telephone interview with representative.

Country programme officer for Zimbabwe, CIDA, Ottawa. 9 April 1997. Telephone interview.