Victims and Survivors: An Exploration of Abuse against Women and Possibilities for Women Empowerment as Portrayed in Selected Zimbabwean Literary Texts

Abstract

Using a simple qualitative approach based on library desk study, this article explores Tagwira’s The Uncertainty of Hope (2006), Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions (2004) and She No longer Weeps (1996) to ascertain if traditional norms and practices that oppress women are evident in these selected works of art. Further, the article analyses the literary works to unpack the reasons for the abuse of women and to explore why women tolerate abusive relationships instead of freeing themselves from such dehumanising scenarios. Finally, the article interrogates any possibilities available in helping abused women to free themselves from abuse. The analysis of the selected texts was conducted from the perspective of marginality. From the study of the chosen texts, the article establishes that women experience different forms of abuse yet stay in the abusive relationships for reasons which include the protection of patriarchal value systems, the fear of rejection by society, financial dependence and for their love of their children among others. It also emerged from this investigation that women need to be empowered through education and entrepreneurial skills in order to be self sufficient so that they can leave abusive relationships and provide for their own well being. The article also argues that the way men and women are socialised should also change and there is need for robust reorientation across the social divide about gender equality and sensitivity. The conclusion the article makes is that women continue to stay in abusive relationships because of patriarchal values, norms and practices which see women as marginalised beings.

Opsomming

Hierdie studeerkamerstudie volg ‘n kwalitatiewe benadering en verken Tagwira se The Uncertainty of Hope (2006) en Dangarembga se Nervous Conditions (2004) en She No longer Weeps (1996). Daar word nagegaan of die tradisionele norme en praktyke wat tot die verdrukking van vroue lei, in hierdie literere werke aan die bod kom. Die redes waarom vroue mishandel word en waarom hulle met 'n vernederende verhouding genoee neem word in hierdie artikel verken. Ten slotte word gekyk na die moontlikhede waaroor vroue beskik om hulleself te bevry en aan mishandeling te ontkom. Die gekose tekste word met marginalisering as vertrekpunt bestudeer. Uit 'n studie van die gekose tekste blyk dat vroue verskeie vorme van mishandeling verduur. Die redes waarom hulle in mensonterende verhoudings aanbly is onder meer die beskerming wat die patriargale waardestelsel bied, die vrees vir sosiale verwerping, hulle finansiele afhanklikheid, en hulle liefde vir hulle kinders. Uit die ondersoek blyk dat vroue deur opleiding en entrepreneursvaardighede bemagtig moet word sodat hulle selfvoorsienend kan wees en 'n mensonterende verhouding kan beëindig. In die artikel word voorgestel dat die manier waarop mans en vroue gesosialiseer word, verander en dat gendergelykheid en sensitiwiteit aangemoedig word. Die slotsom waartoe gekom word, is dat vroue weens patriargale waardes en praktyke mensonterende verhoudings verduur wat vroue as gemarginaliseerdes beskou.