Sextortion haunts women vendors

Gender experts have called for Zimbabwe to explicitly criminalise sextortion amid growing concern over the sexual exploitation of women working in the informal sector.

The calls were made during the Informal Sector Women's Symposium on Gender Justice and Policy Positioning organised by Vendor Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation in Gweru.

Gender and inclusion specialist Thando Gwinji said women now make up more than two-thirds of Zimbabwe's street vendors, yet remain vulnerable to exploitation, harassment and economic exclusion.

She described vending spaces as hostile environments marked by police raids, confiscation of goods, extortion and sexual abuse.

According to findings presented at the symposium, some women vendors are allegedly being pressured into sexual relationships in exchange for vending space, protection from arrest or the return of confiscated goods.

"Women reported sex being demanded in exchange for avoiding arrest, recovering goods and accessing vending spaces," Gwinji said.

The study further revealed that women dominate low-income informal trades such as selling vegetables, clothes and fresh produce, while men control more profitable sectors including electronics and technology products.

Researchers said many women in the sector reportedly earn less than US$100 per month after expenses, compared to men whose earnings can range between US$300 and US$1 200 monthly.

The findings also highlighted the burden of unpaid care work carried by women vendors, many of whom reportedly balance trading activities with childcare and domestic responsibilities.

Experts recommended stronger legal protections, anonymous reporting systems and gender sensitivity training for police and municipal officers accused of abusing women traders.

Samuel Wadza said VISET continues to advocate for safer and more inclusive trading environments, including access to clean water, ablution facilities, childcare centres and social protection programmes for women in the informal economy.

The study also called for improved access to credit, healthcare, maternity support and stronger mechanisms to combat gender-based violence in informal trading spaces.