Biti’s gender record in tatters as women score big in assault ruling Creating a world safe for women, girls
TUESDAY’S judgment on a verbal assault case committed by Tendai Biti on businesswoman and investor, Mrs Tatiana Aleshina, at the Harare Magistrates Court four years ago, is testament that exposing women and other vulnerable groups to verbal, emotional, physiological and psychological trauma using brawn or macho tactics in whatever disguise cannot go unpunished.
In her ruling, following a four-year trial, Harare magistrate, Mrs Vongai Guwuriro, convicted Biti and placed him in a cage by ordering him not to commit any similar offence in the next five years to avoid the six months jail time put on ice in lieu of a US$300 fine.
Mrs Guwuriro ruled that while a custodial sentence “would be too harsh”, and community service should be “reserved for more serious offences”, the effect of the assault on the complainant “cannot be ignored”.
She cited that as a Member of the National Assembly at the time of the offence, and a legal practitioner, Biti should have been conscious of how people expect him to behave, particularly in public spaces.
Mrs Guwuriro also castigated Biti for wasting the court’s time by making applications for referral to the Constitutional Court “on a piecemeal”.
In her victim impact statement, Mrs Tatiana Aleshina submitted to the court that she suffered physical and emotional injuries from the “terrifying” incident, and had to seek medical attention.
Medical records show that she was traumatised by the experience and suffered
THROUGHOUT history, women have faced an uphill battle for equal treatment and respect in a patriarchal world that scantily considers the well-being of the weak and vulnerable.
Despite advancements in modern society, they still fight for recognition, equal opportunities, and freedom from abuse.
Even with numerous initiatives like the Declaration of Women’s Rights, CEDAW, and gender-equality movements, women continue to face challenges rooted in patriarchal structures.
Modern society often silences women’s voices despite social movements for change. Issues like domestic violence, workplace inequalities, and societal judgment persist.
Women are celebrated for their achievements, but often with suspicion and accusations.
Hence, as International Women’s Day approaches, we must question what we truly celebrate.
The recent case of Mrs Tatiana Aleshina, who faced verbal abuse from renowned lawyer and politician, Mr Tendai Biti, brings to light the systemic failures in protecting women from abuse, even by those in positions of power. Many similar cases go unheard due to fear and social stigma.
Questions that remain unanswered are: how long must women suffer in silence, at home, at the workplace, and in their communities?
How long will double standards be tolerated?
The recent court ruling in Mrs Aleshina’s favour signifies a step towards securing women’s rights to be heard,
heart palpitations, post-traumatic stress disorder, high blood pressure, and low self-esteem after being verbally abused and embarrassed by Biti within the court premises.
“As a vulnerable and defenceless woman, I felt insulted, humiliated, belittled and degraded to the lowest level of life; being shouted at within the courts of law by a man who is supposed to use the same courts to uphold people’s rights”, said Mrs Aleshina.
Gender advocate, Ms Elizabeth Parirenyatwa, underscored that beyond the US$300 fine that Biti was ordered by Mrs Guwuriro