Audrey Galawu- Assistant Editor
The Girls Table is calling on the Ministry of Transport to work with city authorities to reclaim public spaces — including bus termini — as part of urgent measures to make Zimbabwe’s streets safer for women and girls.
In a petition launched after the brutal rape of a 13-year-old girl at Harare’s Rezende Bus Terminus on August 4, the women’s rights organisation is demanding the removal of touts from all ranks, installation of surveillance cameras, and improved lighting at major transport points.
Other demands include the immediate arrest of the perpetrator in the Rezende case, public safety commitments from the Mayor of Harare, survivor-centred judicial reforms, and stronger measures from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to protect children travelling to and from school.
“We are tired of mourning victims of a broken system,” The Girls Table said in a statement.
“Every day, girls are raped in schools, homes and public spaces, yet perpetrators walk free or return to environments where they can harm again. We want decisive, survivor-centred action — now.”
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe also weighed in, condemning the incident as “heinous” and calling for tighter safety protocols at all public transport ranks. “We emphasise the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and security at all public transport ranks to protect vulnerable passengers, especially children,” PAZ said.
The association urged parents to ensure children have sufficient bus fare to avoid accepting rides from strangers and reiterated its opposition to tinted windows on kombis, which it says can conceal criminal activity.
The petition — supported by Shamwari Yemwanasikana, ROOTS Africa, Girl Up Zimbabwe and others — also urges the government to ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
By Thursday afternoon, more than 900 verified signatures had been collected, with organisers and passenger advocates pledging to keep pushing until authorities act decisively to protect women and girls in public and private spaces.
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