8 some way lesser people than men, and thus not worthy of the protection of the law, but arises directly from the proprietal attitude described above. As male “property” women are not treated as actors in their own right. Hence the epithet “Tsvangirai’s Whores14” directed at female members of the opposition by state agents and ZANU (PF) supporters, implying that they are merely acting on behalf of a man, motivated by considerations other than their own desire for change or political activism. Furthermore, sexual violence perpetrated upon women is perceived not so much as an assault on the woman herself, but an attack on the “property” of the “owning” male. Combined with traditionalist attitudes towards sexuality and virginity, there is a perception that sexual violence perpetrated upon women members of the opposition is viewed by the perpetrator as a particularly effective way of attacking and humiliating male members of the opposition. The resultant social disruption is extensive. Rape has now been acknowledged as a war crime, and, in 2001, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) instituted prosecutions for the systematic rape that took place. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) too has been empowered to prosecute rape as a crime against humanity and a violation of the Geneva Convention. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment defines torture as ‘any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.’ Therefore ‘Sexual assault can constitute torture and can be prosecuted as a transgression of international law.’15 Broadly, four kinds of rape can be identified in conflict:16 Opportunistic rape takes place when combatants run amok, assured of impunity in a lawless context. There have been reports of youth militia and soldiers raping women, knowing full well that they can get away with it. Taking advantage of South Africa Women's Day, commemorated on August 8, 2003, the South African-based Zimbabwe Advocacy Campaign in collaboration with Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition brought five women from Zimbabwe to tell their stories. In a moving testimony that left many in tears, Patience Makoni (not her real name) described how she was attacked. "Ten men came to fetch me. They accused me of receiving support from (MDC leader) Morgan Tsvangirai. They walked me to a bush nearby, started assaulting me with their guns and fists. One of them tore 14 15 16 Morgan Tsvangirai is leader of one faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Richard Goldstone, former prosecutor ICTR. ‘Focus on Rape as a Political Weapon’ 8 April 2003 IRINnews.org “A Woman’s Place is in the Home ?” – Gender Based Violence and Opposition Politics in Zimbabwe.