In a recent development, Zimbabwe has proposed a ban on higher education scholarships provided by LGBTQ+ organizations. The country’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga issued a warning on Thursday regarding this decision. Constantino expressed concern that these scholarships funded by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are an unlawful move promoted by foreign interests, aiming to engage less privileged students in what he referred to as “lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual activities”.
Constantino’s statement harrowingly dismissed the values attached to these scholarships as “alien, anti-life, un-African and unchristian”. He further emphasized that Zimbabwe, being a sovereign state, has definite laws and values which set it apart from other societies. In response to the scholarships offered by LGBTQ+ organizations, Chiwenga advised qualifying Zimbabwean students to approach relevant government departments for grants and scholarships.
It is essential to note that Zimbabwe’s legal framework incorporates laws criminalizing homosexual acts. Under the Criminal Law Act, section 73, it explicitly prohibits sexual relations between males. Notably, Zimbabwe is among 33 African countries that have made homosexuality a criminal offense. Some of these countries, including Mauritania, Sudan, Northern Nigeria, and Southern Somalia, have adopted harsher laws that stipulate the death penalty as a punishment for homosexual acts.
The plight of the LGBTQ+ community in Zimbabwe raises valid concerns about human rights on an international level. The potential impacts and consequences of this proposed scholarship ban will surely be watched closely by legal professionals worldwide.