In defence of Miss Zimbabwe Thabiso Phiri: Open Letter to human rights NGOs and Gender Ministry

By Thompson Chengeta

I never follow beauty contests. It is only some few days ago that I came to know of a person called Thabiso Phiri. It is unfortunate I came only to know her name in bad circumstances. I even missed the news on her crowning as the Miss Zimbabwe 2014. Barely a month after her crowning, she unceremoniously ‘stepped down.’

It is all over Zimbabwean newspapers and social media that the reason behind her stepping down is that her nude photos were leaked by her boyfriend. What a shame if this is the truth behind her stepping down. As Zimbabweans, are we not ‘quickly’ accepting her resignation on account of some deep underlying prejudices against women?

As I am writing this letter, I am wishing for that time when men and women of Zimbabwe will be able to stand up for the girl child and say: ‘You know what Thabi, that was a mistake, but that doesn’t make you immoral, keep the crown, show other Zimbabwean little girls out there whose sexuality is used to disempower them by men that all is not lost, that there should take care in their steps, but certainly this is not your end.’

I am writing this open letter to human rights NGOs and the Ministry of Gender, to make some pointers which, as Zimbabweans, we seem to ignore or maybe not even aware of. First, this is a classic case of how the girl child is always disempowered because of her sexuality or gender.

Second, it is Thabiso Phiri’s right to privacy that was violated by her boyfriend, if the State of Zimbabwe is going to endorse her alleged ‘resignation’, by allowing her replacement; it aligns itself with such a violation.

Third, the fact that Thabiso Phiri’s photos were leaked does not make her any less moral. I do not even want to go into the long list of men in powerful positions, men who have been presidents in other corners of the world, men who are judges, men who have more serious sexual scandals yet they remain eligible for public office. What of this young girl who becomes victim to a cold-hearted lover? Women, all men in support of women empowerment, stand up and do what is right.

I have already heard arguments from some quarters that well; Thabiso Phiri stepped down on her own accord. I doubt that very much and in any event that doesn’t erase the underlying issues in this matter. It is understandable why she would want to step down or succumb to pressure: she is a girl, she is only 22, and she lives not only in a male chauvinistic society but one that is so hypocritical and judgmental ad nauseam.

So understand her if she might have felt disqualified by such a society already. If anything, she needs empowerment too; it’s time to send a message that no matter how men try to disadvantage you by unnecessarily exploiting your sexuality, your gender, that doesn’t take the power from you.

I have even heard others asking questions like why was she taking the photos in the first place? Aside the fact that she has a right to, who doesn’t make mistakes? Are we such an unforgiving nation?

Instead of her going away, she can still be the ambassador for Zimbabwe, for many youths out there who need to learn some of the ills of the so called ‘social networks.’ In this, I cannot help but ‘cry’ for a young girl empowered just yesterday and disempowered today – by her own man, the one she gave her heart to. If there is anything I want to say right now is…BRING BACK THABISO PHIRI!!!

Thompson Chengeta, Human Rights Lawyer #Bringbackthabisophiri