Unveiling Fear: The Isolation of a 71-Year-Old Man with Gynophobia

A 71-year-old man in Rwanda named Callitxe Nzamwita has been living in isolation for over five decades, barricading himself within his home due to a severe fear of women, a condition known as Gynophobia.

Erecting a towering 15-foot fence around his residence, he explained in an interview that his fear of female company drove him to extreme measures, stating, "The reason I locked myself inside here and have a fence on my house is because I want to make sure that women will not come closer to me." This intense terror of interacting with women has plagued him for an extensive period of time.

Despite his deep-seated fear, it is the local women, particularly his neighbors, who have shown compassion towards him by providing essential food and grocery items, albeit from a distance as he prefers minimal contact. These caring neighbors narrated how they have observed him rarely leaving his home since childhood, highlighting the extent of his isolation. They have taken it upon themselves to ensure his survival by tossing essential items into his residence, allowing him to retrieve them as needed.


Nzamwita's Gynophobia, an irrational dread of women, is not formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but it is commonly classified as a "specific phobia" within clinical contexts. People who suffer from Gynophobia may experience intense anxiety and physical symptoms merely at the thought of interacting with women, such as panic attacks, chest tightness, profuse sweating, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. The severity of this condition can result in individuals like Nzamwita taking drastic measures to avoid any contact with women, even resorting to isolating themselves within their homes.

The compassionate gestures of his female neighbors in providing assistance from afar highlight the complexities of mental health conditions like Gynophobia and the impact they can have on individuals' lives. Despite his self-imposed isolation and fear, the outreach and support from the local community serve as a touching reminder of human kindness and empathy towards those struggling with such mental health challenges.

Posted in Sex Life Culture & Travel Health & Food by Quynh Nguyen