A teenager in Zimbabwe has been charged with murder, despite claims she was acting in self-defence after a man tried to sexually assault her.
Tariro Matutsa, 19, says she was defending herself when she hit 40-year-old Sure Tsuro with a piece of firewood in June.
She says he cornered her as she was cooking over a fire in the rural town of Mudzi before exposing himself and aggressively demanding sex.
According to a police report quoted in The Guardian Matutsa "grabbed a piece of firewood and struck him several times across his body and twice over his head".
The man escaped but was found dead the following day.
Matutsa's case has ignited debate about women's rights, with activists saying the law should protect women who kill in self-defence, given the prevalence of sexual violence in the country.
The law states if a person believes "genuinely and on reasonable grounds" they are defending themselves or someone else from an unlawful attack they should be entitled to a "complete or partial defence to any criminal charge".
The Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association and Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) have offered Matutsa legal representation and counselling.
In a statement supplied to The Guardian the WLSA said Matutsa "acted in self-defence and did not intend on committing murder".
The 19-year-old spent a week detained before being released on bail and will reappear in court on 23 July.
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
