When ‘No’ is not enough: Cultural narratives, bride price, and the struggle for sexual consent in Zimbabwe and South Africa

Prince Muzuva

Lecturer, Development Sciences, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Marondera, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Sexual consent remains a contentious and culturally loaded concept in many African societies, where deeply rooted patriarchal norms and traditional gender roles often obscure the agency of women in matters of sexuality. This paper critically examines the meaning and reception of a woman’s refusal, her “no” in African cultural contexts, interrogating whether it is truly respected as a denial of consent or interpreted as part of complex, often coercive social scripts. Drawing on feminist theory, particularly African feminism and postcolonial gender studies, the study explores how cultural narratives, bride price practices, and marital expectations shape perceptions of female sexual autonomy. Employing a qualitative approach grounded in interpretivist epistemology, the study uses in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and cultural text analysis from Zimbabwe and South Africa. Participants included women aged 18–45, traditional leaders, and community elders. The findings reveal that in many contexts, a woman’s verbal “no” is not always taken as definitive; rather, it is often viewed as coyness, resistance that must be overcome, or even as cultural performance before eventual acquiescence. This misinterpretation contributes to high levels of sexual coercion, marital rape, and silence around sexual violence. The paper argues that dominant cultural constructs invalidate the principle of affirmative consent and perpetuate gendered violence. It calls for a recalibration of cultural norms to embed the notion that consent must be explicit, continuous, and respected. Legal reforms, gender-sensitive education, and engagement with traditional leaders are recommended to transform attitudes and practices. Ultimately, respecting “no” as “no” is central to upholding women’s bodily autonomy and ensuring meaningful sexual rights in African contexts.     

Keywords: African feminism, Culture, Gender, Marital rape, Patriarchy, Sexual autonomy

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