20 Jan The Invisible Scourge: How Structural Violence Erodes Human Rights
Zimbabwe’s election periods are often marred by physical violence, particularly inter-party conflicts and state-sponsored violence. The aftermath of elections, however, is marked by structural violence. This type of violence is more subtle, yet equally damaging. It is rooted in systemic and institutional failures, perpetuating discrimination, inequality, and social exclusion, and thereby infringing upon the basic human rights and freedoms enshrined in international and domestic law.
Structural violence is more subtle, yet equally damaging…
Victims of partisan food distribution, for example, suffer greatly at the hands of perpetuated systematic practices of political discrimination. Imagine a mother, clutching her emaciated child, watching as food aid is distributed solely to those wearing the ‘right’ party colours. Her family’s hunger is invisible, their suffering irrelevant. This systemic injustice crushes her dignity, reinforcing the cruel notion that her child’s life is worthless to those in power. The pain of witnessing others eat while her child goes hungry is a slow-burning torture.
Discrimination, sometimes at the call of traditional leaders and political leaders, is a weapon that destroys hope. It’s a constant reminder that, in the eyes of those who govern, some lives matter more than others. To the mothers forced to choose between political allegiance and feeding their families, their rights are eroded and their choices to enjoy them curtailed.
The overbearing influence of political leaders on public institutions further creates an environment where structural violence thrives in unimaginable forms. The perpetrators are protected from public scrutiny and dissenting voices are punished.
Unlike physical violence, structural violence is often hidden, and the victims live with and endure the pain it causes, they cannot always identify it as violence making it even more difficult for human rights accountability. This invisible nature allows it to persist, causing harm to marginalised communities.
Community records reveal widespread fear and silence perpetuating oppression, particularly among marginalized groups. Victims of human rights abuse often suffer in silence, hesitant to seek help or advocate for their rights due to fear of further victimization. Systematic failures protect perpetrators, normalising inequality and undermining dignity, contradicting fundamental human rights and freedoms principles
To combat structural violence, a multi-faceted approach is necessary including policy reforms that seek to address systemic inequalities through policy changes. Education and awareness of constitutional values and mechanisms for protection and seeking justice among communities can help improve the situation where citizens can hold leaders accountable while demanding their own rights. By addressing both physical and structural violence, Zimbabwe can move towards a brighter future, where rights and freedoms are protected.
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