Women of Zimbabwe Arise

Readers of this blog will know that I have recently signed up for the Amnesty International's Global Write-a-thon. This is the first of 5 instalments highlighting five priority cases currently on Amnesty International's list. While all the cases with Amnesty International are very important, I have decided to concentrate on Women's rights.

I believe the voice of women are essential in our search for world peace. Peace and good governance must take into account the experiences and perspectives of all citizens.



The Women of Zimbabwe Arise - WOZA - is a civic movement in Zimbabwe that encourages women to stand up for their rights and freedoms. The acronym WOZA is a Ndebele word meaning ‘Come forward’. WOZA has advocated issues affecting women and their families since 2003.

These courageous women have continued to conduct peaceful protests to highlight the injustices women face in Zimbabwe, despite being arrested, harassed and intimidated.



In February 2005, 53 women were arrested for a demonstration in which they marched with banners proclaiming "The Power of Love can conquer the Love of Power," and one month later, some 260 WOZA members, some carrying babies, were arrested for praying in public. Most recently, on May 28, 2008, two WOZA leaders and 12 other activists were detained for nearly six weeks for staging a peaceful march on the Zambian Embassy, with the intent of asking the Chair of the Southern African Development Community to help bring an end to state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe.

On May 28, 2008, WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were among a group of WOZA activists arrested by police during a peaceful demonstration calling for an end to the violence that followed the elections. Police reportedly beat and arrested WOZA members, and those arrested were detained in deplorable prison conditions. Authorities released most of them soon after, but Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu continued to be held till July. Jenni and Magodonga were arrested again on 16 October and were finally granted bail on 5 November 2008. Both women have been charged with:

"C/S 37 (1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23: “any person who acts together with one or more other persons present with him or her in any place or at any meeting with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of forcibly disturbing the peace, security or order of the public …”"

Their trial is scheduled for 22 January 2009.

Listen to this podcast of Jenni Williams just after her release on bail.

I am filled with admiration for these women and I hope that enough pressure will be brought to bear on the Zimbabwean Government to drop charges against these women. I have written my letter and have posted it in my public wiki (on the right side of this page). Any constructive feedback would be most appreciated. Or if you prefer, please feel free to use my letter as template if you too would like to write a letter to the Zimbabwean Government. :)