For 71 years, one man’s life took a peculiar turn as he remained celibate and, for the last 55 years, barricaded himself inside his home to avoid contact with women. Callitxe Nzamwita, a resident of Rwanda, erected a towering 15-foot fence around his home, effectively isolating himself from the female population and the public in general.
In candid admission, the 71-year-old disclosed that he was “genuinely frightened” of interactions with women, which motivated his choice of isolation. His fear was so intense that he went to great lengths to ensure that no woman could approach his residence.
Remarkably, even though he harbored this fear of women, it is the local women who have been helping him to survive. They selflessly assist in procuring his groceries, though they are not granted proximity to him.
Callitxe explained his motivation for the barricade, 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.”
An anonymous local resident noted, “Ironically, even though he is afraid of women, we are the ones who help him acquire food and essentials. When we attempt to aid him, he refrains from engaging with us closely or having conversations.”
Instead, they provide him with necessities by tossing them into his residence, after which he retrieves them himself. He consistently refrains from allowing anyone, particularly women, near him, but he does accept their offerings from a distance.
Whenever he spots a woman approaching his property, Callitxe promptly retreats inside and secures his doors. This reclusive lifestyle has been attributed to what is commonly referred to as gynophobia, an irrational and intense fear of women.
Symptoms of gynophobia can be triggered merely by the thought of encountering women. Panic attacks, chest tightness, excessive sweating, rapid heart rate, and breathing difficulties are all recognized as potential manifestations of this condition. Additionally, feelings of dizziness and stomach discomfort when in close proximity to the opposite sex are other associated symptoms.
Despite the daily assistance offered by the women in the village, Callitxe remains incapable of conversing with them and consistently avoids any contact with women who attempt to approach him.
