Zimbabwe: Violence against lesbians in Chitungwiza
A lesbian member of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) was physically assaulted and beaten on 2 September. The attack comes after continued reports of harassment and threats towards LGBT people in the area by known individuals.
19 September 2011
On Friday 2 September 2011, a lesbian member of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) was physically assaulted and beaten with a bottle to the head in Chitungwiza. The attack comes after continued reports of harassment and threats towards LGBT people in the area by known individuals.
The GALZ member was attacked by two men who had been insulting the member and her friend while they were out at a local pub. The men punched the member in the stomach and pushed her to the floor and proceeded to kick and punch her. One of the men broke a bottle of beer on the members head.
After the attack, the member made contact with GALZ and together with a representative of the Gender office, the member got a doctor’s report from Chitungwiza General Hospital. Medical records were used to open a case against the perpetrators with the police.
GALZ has provided all reports related to the case to the human rights lawyers and continues to monitor the situation and provide support to the member.