Browsing by Author "Nkomo, Sindiso Nozitha"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Access to reproductive health and rights for indigenous women in Zimbabwe: A case of the San community in Tsholotsho and Plumtree
    (University of the Western Cape, 2023) Nkomo, Sindiso Nozitha; Durojaye, Ebenezer
    Access to healthcare, including reproductive health, is an essential human right that necessitates the attainment of human development, non-discrimination between genders, and promotes women’s rights. Reproductive health and rights enable women to make independent decisions and choices relating to their bodies and make it possible to keep women healthy, safe, and dignified. Despite this importance, indigenous women often struggle to have access to satisfactory reproductive health services and have poorer outcomes compared to the general populace. Indigenous women from Zimbabwe are not exempt from this predicament. It is against this background that this study aims to interrogate the extent to which San indigenous women in Zimbabwe enjoy access to reproductive health and rights. The elements of reproductive health and rights which are the main focus of this study are: “prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and AIDS and cervical cancer; maternal health; and voluntary informed and affordable family planning services.” Studies have been conducted on access to other rights by San people, such as their right to education and to decide their cultural and ethnical integrity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A critical analysis of Zimbabwe’s legal response to traditional cultural practices and gender- based violence.
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Nkomo, Sindiso Nozitha; Mwambene, Lea
    The aim of the study was to assess Zimbabwe‘s legal response to gender-based violence that can be to traditional cultural practices. First, most traditional cultural practices in Zimbabwe are discriminatory towards women and girls; the study has therefore shown the link between gender-based violence and traditional cultural practices. Second, it has been shown that the recognition of the right to culture by international and regional instruments is subject to non-violation of human rights. Third, the min-thesis has also established that in complying with its international obligations on the protection of women from gender-based violence linked to traditional cultural practices, Zimbabwe has enacted a plethora of legislation. More importantly, the study has also proven that despite these legal initiatives, gender-based violence linked to traditional cultural practices still continues. This mini-thesis has, among other factors, highlighted the following as shortfalls in legislations passed to address this problem: poor enforcement of these laws; Zimbabwe‘s hybrid legal system where customary law operates in conjunction with civil laws; weak wording of some pieces of legislation, such as legislation that deals with marriage rights for women married under customary law; and that most women, especially those in rural areas are not fully equipped with the knowledge of the different pieces of legislation that have been put in place to protect them from such violence.