Controversy raised over sex toy ban in Zimbabwe

A Zimbabwean feminist group, Women's Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence, has taken the government to court to challenge a ban on the importation of sex toys in a move that has reignited debate on the morality of people using synthetic products to derive sexual satisfaction.

Zimbabwe criminalizes the importation of goods regarded as indecent according to the law.

But WALPE executive director Sitabile Dewa says the law is "archaic and infringes on women's rights to sexual pleasure" and is an ill-advised attempt by authorities to police the bedroom.

"We cannot have two women in 2022 alone ending the year with criminal records for just choosing to pleasure themselves differently," she said.

She was referring to the arrest and conviction of university lecturer Shirley Chapunza, who was recently jailed for six months with the option of paying a fine after being accused of importing sex toys from Germany.

Popular Twitter user Ayanda Muponda was also ordered to perform 640 hours of unpaid work after she was convicted of trading and advertising her sex toys on various social media platforms.

Sex toys — also called adult toys or "marital aids" — are often described as objects people use to pleasure themselves during sex or masturbation.

In its court challenge, WALPE has enlisted the services of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, a prominent group of experienced attorneys.

"This is a public litigation case challenging women's rights to health; it is a case of sexual reproductive health justice," Dewa said.

"We are appealing to the courts to review section 47 (1) of the Customs and Excise act which has been overtaken by modernity. The clause is also vague in terms of possession. If they are manufactured locally, does it mean women are allowed to use them?"

Outside the courts, the move has generated a lot of debate among Zimbabweans, with some men arguing the energy shown by women in asserting their rights to sex toys is an indirect insult to their bedroom credentials.

"The rising demand for sex toys is a vote of no confidence in the current generation of men," said Jacob Rukweza, a politician and social commentator, via social media.

Some argue sex is an interactive process and toys are an unnecessary element.

Political activist Brian Tembo said the litigation filed by the NGO was much ado about nothing and an attention-seeking stunt, arguing women have more serious issues that need to be tackled as opposed to "chasing after dildos".

Some Zimbabweans argue the right to sex toys is an elite preoccupation in a largely conservative society which views artificial forms of sexual pleasure as taboo.

Defending her organization's action, the WALPE director insists Zimbabwean men's views are driven by chauvinistic tendencies she claims erroneously granted them false rights over women's bodies.

"Men must not feel insecure, as there is no way the toys can replace them. Sex toys are legal in South Africa; why have we not seen men being replaced there?" Dewa said.

The argument over sex toys has in years past come in for heated debate in Zimbabwe's parliament, with some supporting lifting the ban. Zimbabwe licensed its first premium sex toy shop in 2020 in the capital Harare.