RECENT social media posts from women in Harare have highlighted a continued alarming trend: the theft of wigs in broad daylight.
This troubling behaviour is not taking place in secluded areas or at night but right in the heart of the city, where women should feel safe.
Previously, the corner of Jason Moyo and Julius Nyerere streets was notorious for incidents like these, but now no area seems immune.
The issue of stolen phones and the need to be vigilant with cash in the Central Business District (CBD) have long been known, but the trend of wig theft continues to add a distressing layer to the problem.
This phenomenon is not new to some. Several years ago, I experienced a similar situation while crossing the street at the same hotspot. A young man, who had been loitering by the steel bars at Town House, approached me under the guise of simply passing by.
Without warning, he tried to grab my sunglasses off my face. Instinctively, I grabbed his arm and demanded my sunglasses back, which he reluctantly returned.
This occurred in broad daylight, yet no bystanders intervened; people continued walking as if nothing had happened.
The pressing question now is: where are these stolen wigs being taken, and who is buying them? The fact that such crimes persist implies the existence of a market for these stolen goods, raising concerns about the buyers of second-hand wigs.
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This issue goes beyond the mere theft of wigs and highlights a broader concern for women's safety in public spaces. With incidents like these becoming more frequent, the question remains: where can women safely walk if even daytime streets are unsafe?
The most disturbing aspect of these incidents is the indifference of onlookers, suggesting that such violations are becoming normalised.
The fear of being targeted on the streets affects much more than just women’s physical safety — it seeps into their daily routines, mental health, and overall well-being.
Women in Harare increasingly find it difficult to navigate the city without constantly looking over their shoulders, calculating the risks of every trip, and choosing clothing or accessories based on whether they might make them a target.
The mental toll of always being on guard leads to anxiety and stress, particularly in spaces that should feel safe, like walking to work or running errands.
This constant fear changes how women move through the world, forcing them to adjust their lives in ways that men might never have to consider. It is not just about the inconvenience of losing a wig or sunglasses — it is about the emotional exhaustion that comes with knowing you are not safe in your own city.
How can women thrive when they are forced to live in a state of hyper-awareness simply because the streets they walk on daily are not safe?
One of the most troubling aspects of these incidents is the sheer indifference of bystanders. The phenomenon of bystander apathy, where people witness harassment or violence but choose not to intervene, plays a significant role in perpetuating these crimes. In crowded areas like Harare’s CBD, where countless people pass by, it is easy for individuals to assume that someone else will step in or that the situation is not serious enough to warrant action.
This collective silence encourages perpetrators and contributes to a culture where violations of women's safety are normalised.
Women are left feeling isolated, as the message from the public is clear: you are on your own. This lack of solidarity from bystanders worsens the fear and helplessness that many women already feel, creating an environment where safety is increasingly compromised.
Why do people not step in? And how do we begin to foster a culture where protecting each other becomes the norm, not the exception?
While these incidents may seem like isolated cases of petty crime, they reflect a larger societal failure to ensure women’s safety — something that is directly linked to the principles outlined in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325).
UNSCR 1325, adopted in 2000, addresses the impact of conflict on women and highlights the importance of protecting them from violence while ensuring their participation in peace and security processes.
Although Harare is not a conflict zone, the everyday security threats women face mirror the types of violence that UNSCR 1325 seeks to prevent.
The core principle of UNSCR 1325 is that women’s peace and security are essential for broader societal peace and stability. Whether in a conflict zone or an urban setting, insecurity disproportionately affects women.
The growing incidents of street harassment and theft in Harare’s public spaces are clear examples of how women’s security is being compromised.
These acts of violence against women create an environment where fear becomes a constant companion, hindering their freedom and equality.
This resolution calls for increased protections for women in both public and private spheres, including protection from everyday violence, harassment, and insecurity.
Without adequate protection mechanisms, perpetrators of street harassment and violence are not held accountable, and women are left to navigate an unsafe environment.
For women to feel truly safe in their communities, both immediate and long-term strategies are essential. Public campaigns aimed at educating people about the importance of bystander intervention could be a significant first step.
Bystanders should understand that their silence or inaction contributes to the normalisation of these crimes, and that stepping in (peacefully), even in small ways, can make a meaningful difference.
Moreover, local governments and law enforcement should adopt more proactive measures to ensure women’s safety. Installing more visible surveillance in crime-prone areas, increasing police patrols, and establishing quicker, more effective response systems are practical steps that could help deter such crimes.
Social media has proven to be a powerful platform for raising awareness about the everyday struggles women face. However, the conversations happening online need to translate into real-world action. Women's groups, activists, and policymakers should continue to collaborate on solutions that include educating communities about gender-based violence and fostering a culture of mutual care and responsibility.
By amplifying these stories and challenging the status quo, we can begin to shift the narrative toward one where women feel empowered to reclaim their public spaces without fear.
The theft of wigs may seem trivial to some, but it is a symptom of a larger problem. Women's safety should never be a secondary concern, nor should they have to navigate their daily lives in a state of hyper-awareness.
UNSCR 1325 reminds us that peace and security are interconnected, and for true peace, women must be able to move freely without fear. Ultimately, the solution lies in a cultural shift — a collective agreement that women’s safety is non-negotiable and must be prioritised by everyone.
Public awareness campaigns, legal frameworks, and a cultural emphasis on empathy and accountability are essential components of this shift.
We must build a society where the theft of a wig or a pair of sunglasses is not dismissed as a petty crime, but recognised as a violation of a woman’s dignity and autonomy.
- Madamombe is gender and communications expert. These weekly New Horizon articles, published in the Zimbabwe Independent, are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe. — [email protected] or +263 772 382 852.
