Zimbabwe

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

14,645,468

World Bank, 2019

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

N/A

N/A

Many scholarly reports of SGMs focus on homosexuality. Many people in Zimbabwe, especially the older population, believe that homesexuality originated from Western cultures and that “they never heard of this practice before the arrival of the Europeans” (Shoko 2010). However, there is evidence that homosexuality existed and was honored for many years. It was common until the British enforced their disapproval of homosexuality when they colonized the country (Mabvurira 2019). Many homosexuals in Zimbabwe have experienced discrimination such as being outcasted by their friends and family, physically abused (and refused help from police), and denied health care (Mutanga 2019). 

Zimbabwe's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
No
Civil Unions
No
Joint Adoption
No
Second Parent Adoption
No
PROTECTION
Employment Nondiscrimination Laws
No
Broad Protections
No
Criminalization of Violence
No
Ban of Conversion Therapy
No
CRIMINALIZATION
Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?
No
Gender
Male
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)
1

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents 

 

Mabvurira, V., Motsi, P. D., Masuka, T., & Chigondo, E. (2012). The “politics” of sexual identities in Zimbabwe: A Social Work perspective?. http://ir.buse.ac.zw/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11196/265/mabvu-motsi%20-The%20politics%20of%20sexual.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y  

 

Hunt, J., Bristowe, K., Chidyamatare, S., & Harding, R. (2017). ‘They will be afraid to touch you’: LGBTI people and sex workers' experiences of accessing healthcare in Zimbabwe—an in-depth qualitative study. BMJ global health, 2(2), e000168. https://gh.bmj.com/content/2/2/e000168?cpetoc=&utm_source=trendmd&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=bmjgh&utm_content=consumer&utm_term=0-A  

 

Ibrahim, A. M. (2015). LGBT rights in Africa and the discursive role of international human rights law. African Human Rights Law Journal, 15(2), 263-281. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1996-2096/2015/v15n2a2  

 

Shoko, T. (2010). “Worse than dogs and pigs?” Attitudes Toward Homosexual Practice in Zimbabwe. Journal of Homosexuality, 57(5), 634-649. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918361003712087 

 

Mutanga, O., & Moen, K. (2019). The push of stigma: a qualitative study on the experiences and consequences of sexuality stigma among same-sex attracted men in Harare, Zimbabwe. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1674920