By A Correspondent – Masvingo, Zimbabwe, The Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group (MWRAG) has strongly condemned the recent intimidation, harassment, and brutal arrests of women vendors in the city’s Central Business District (CBD). The crackdown carried out by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has left many women traumatized and stripped of their livelihoods.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, MWRAG’s Rights Monitors witnessed the violent arrest of a woman vendor outside Trinity Pharmacy, opposite Pick and Pay on Hughes Street. Reports indicate that numerous vendors, predominantly women, were forcibly displaced from their trading spots across Masvingo, often without warning. Many lost their stalls and goods, a devastating blow to families who rely on vending as their primary source of income.

Women vendors are more vulnerable to violence in such operations and have borne the brunt of the crackdown. Unlike their male counterparts, who often manage to escape with their goods, women have been disproportionately targeted, facing harassment and arrests that expose them to further insecurity.

MWRAG has called on the police and law enforcement agencies to uphold the rights of all vendors, stressing the urgent need to protect women during current and future operations. The organization is also urging local councils and government authorities to prioritize women in the allocation of market stalls. By ensuring safe, designated trading spaces, women vendors can avoid the heightened risks of intimidation and violence associated with operating in unauthorized areas.

Through its advocacy, MWRAG seeks to foster a safer, more equitable environment for women vendors in Masvingo. The group emphasizes that systemic change is essential to protect and empower women in the marketplace, ensuring their economic contributions are recognized and safeguarded. This call to action underscores the broader struggle for women’s rights and dignity in Zimbabwe, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform.