male activity. The penal provision carries a penalty for the convicted of up to one-year imprisonment or a fine up to $5,000, or both. There were no known cases in 2018 where there was prosecution for consensual same-sex sexual activity. According to GALZ, surprisingly the only party to react was ZANU-PF which invited GALZ to a meeting . Although ZANU-PF was noncommittal, the discussion was reported by GALZ as “encouraging”, marking a departure from the previous leadership which did not engage with GALZ at all. Progress and Developments In July, the ministry of Health adopted new training manuals to be used by health professionals when dealing with gays and sex workers.38 In the same month, it was announced that five new health centres would open in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Kwekwe to cater to the health needs of gay and bisexual men.39 The July elections were welcomed by LGBTQIA activists, who called them a “historic win” in that there was a reduction in homophobic hate speech and reduction in the politicisation of LGBTQIA individuals as campaign tools.40 Under former President Robert Mugabe’s 37year rule, members of the LGBTQIA community were subjected to ongoing abuse and crackdowns. In January 2018, President Mnangagwa spoke on the issue of LGBT rights for the first time as President during an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, saying: “Those people who want it (same-sex marriage) are the people who should canvass for it, but it’s not my duty to campaign for this”.37In June 2018, GALZ wrote to political parties to meet and get their promises and commitments over protection of the LGBTQIA community. Specific Cases Ÿ The current legal position has perpetuated and entrenched stigma and discrimination against the LGBTQIA community. Some individuals who are LGBTQIA shun from making known their sexual orientation for fear of societal reprisals and stigma and discrimination. In addition, these individuals leave in perpetual fear of being caught. Ÿ Crude statements continued to be made by individuals in both public and private spaces, which statements and sentiments continued to perpetuate stigma and discrimination of the LGBTQIA community. Ÿ GALZ’s reported that sensationalist headlines and biased perspectives were all too common in media coverage of LGBTQIA issues. It observed that “government owned media has tended to report more negatively about issues relating LGBTI persons compared to the privately-owned media, which seemed to be more tolerant and objective in their reportage.” Ÿ Due to the criminality and stigma of same-sex activity, LGBTQIA persons were vulnerable to blackmail. Blackmail and being “outed” were reported as two of the most common forms of repression of LGBTQIA persons. It was common for blackmailers to threaten to reveal one’s sexual identity to the police, the church, or family if the victim refuses to render payment. 37. “Zim’s President Mnangagwa slams door on same-sex marriage”, Mambaonline, 26 January 2018. 38. “Zim govt adopts manual for treating gays, sex workers at health centres” New Zimbabwe, 9 July 2018, https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zim-govt-adopts-manual-for-treating-gays-sex-workers-at-health-centres/ 39. “Zimbabwe’s LGBTI group says elections a ‘historic win’ for LGBTI community”, Mambaonline, 20 August 2018. 40. “Gay, lesbian stand at Zim book fair trashed” Basildon Peta, 8 August 2006, iol.co.za. 44 STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018