Zimbabwe's Government Blocks University Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students
Zimbabwe's vice president, Constantino Chiwenga, recently announced that the government will prevent LGBTQ+ youth from accessing a university scholarship sponsored by GALZ, a membership organization for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. This decision has been labeled as another instance of homophobic practices that persist in Zimbabwe and has drawn criticism from human rights groups.
The state university scholarship, which has been available since 2018, aimed to provide equal educational opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. It sought to address the challenges faced by this marginalized group, including family ostracization and financial difficulties in pursuing higher education.
However, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who identifies as a devout Catholic and served as an army commander, strongly denounced the scholarship in a recent statement. He argued that it posed a direct challenge to the government's authority and deemed the values promoted by it as alien, anti-life, un-African, and un-Christian.
Chiwenga's statement reflects the prevailing sentiment in Zimbabwe, where laws criminalizing homosexual activity are in place. Engaging in same-sex relationships can lead to imprisonment, and same-sex marriages are banned under the country's constitution.
The vice president further justified the government's opposition to the scholarship by asserting that it contravened national laws and constituted a threat to the nation's Christian values and ethos. He warned young people not to be enticed by what he referred to as 'abominable and devilish offers,' cautioning them against compromising their moral principles.
Zimbabwe has a long history of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Former President Robert Mugabe, who ruled the country for 37 years, notoriously dehumanized them, describing them as 'worse than dogs and pigs' and denying them legal rights.
While President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who assumed power following a coup in 2017, has adopted a less vocal stance against the LGBTQ+ community compared to his predecessor, Chiwenga's threat to block the scholarship exposes the persistent hostility from both authorities and influential segments of society, including religious groups.
Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops, in line with many African counterparts, expressed reservations about Pope Francis' declaration allowing blessings for same-sex couples. They cited respect for the country's laws, culture, and moral reasons as the basis for their cautionary stance.
In the past, Zimbabwe has obstructed public events that may appear to endorse or support LGBTQ+ people. For instance, earlier this year, a planned visit by a gay South African celebrity, Somizi Mhlongo, for the reopening of a popular Zimbabwean restaurant was canceled due to opposition from a Christian sect and members of the ruling ZANU-PF party's youth wing.
Human rights groups, including GALZ, have expressed deep concern following Vice President Chiwenga's statement. They argue that it further endangers sexual and gender minorities in Zimbabwe, depriving them of opportunities and perpetuating discrimination.
As the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights continues in Zimbabwe, advocates for inclusivity and equality face persistent challenges in overcoming deeply ingrained societal prejudices and ensuring the protection of all marginalized groups.
