Hear Us, Stand With Us: Zimbabwean Women Rise Against Sexual Violence
Par: Priscila Néri, Posté le: Aug 27 09
Regions: Africa, Zimbabwe
Issues: Impunity, Justice, Rape and sexual abuse
Tags: Elections, political violence, RAU, robert mugabe, violence against women, zanu-pf
UPDATES: THANK YOU to the 1600+ people who signed the petition and the thousands more that joined the campaign on the Hub, Facebook, and Twitter. Here's how the campaign unfolded last week:
*Aug 31: WITNESS' Bukeni Waruzi arrives in South Africa to meet with Kuda (from RAU), Memory (one of the women who shares her story in Hear Us), and members of the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe and IDASA.
*Sept 1: Memory and Kuda are interviewed on live TV by SABC (see video here); other media outlets like The Times from South Africa also report on the campaign.
*Sept 2: The petitions are delivered to key South African government officials on their way to SADC and they pledge to take the message to the summit.
*Sept 4: Dispatch from South Africa - New video provides full update of the week.
*Sept 7: RAU publishes an open letter to SADC in the Congolese media as African Heads of State meet in Kinshasa.
*Sept 9: New video from Bukeni thanks everyone and looks forward to the next steps in the campaign.
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In 2008, political violence erupted throughout Zimbabwe as a result of highly contested national elections. Between May and July alone, local organizations estimate that state-sanctioned groups abducted, raped, tortured, and beat over 2,000 women and girls due to their political affiliations. Local police have ignored these women's pleas for protection, justice, and accountability, and national leaders have been equally unresponsive. Hear Us - a video co-produced by Zimbabwean Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) and WITNESS - features four of these women who have come forward to demand justice from the Zimbabwean government and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Next month, the SADC summit is being held in Kinshasa from September 2-8 2009. Help us collect 2,000 (or more!) messages of support to be delivered to SADC leaders at the summit. Add your voice to the call for justice for the Zimbabwean women - sign our petition, record a video message, tweet the campaign, or leave a comment below. |
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Video Responses
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Watch Hear Us...
...the story of four Zimbabwean women affected by political violence |
*** A huge THANKS to all of the amazingly dedicated interns that worked so hard to get this page up, especially Caitlin Clay, William Pollock, and Opal Tometi!
Comments
I also want to support you,
DeFrankie on Sep 11 09
I also want to support you, because I really want to help these people.
Hear Us, Stand With Us: Zimbabwean Women Rise Against Sexual Vio
DeAdrienne Crampton on Sep 1 09
I wish to voice my support!
This is horrible and it
DeBenjamin on Sep 1 09
This is horrible and it makes us all feel helpless. It seems as if there is nothing we can do but in reality if we can get 2000 signatures then maybe things will get better. casino
hrrible is the right description!
Defredy lancer on Nov 14 09
Horrible is the right description - nothing less!!!
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Stop violence against Women
De Ammar on Sep 1 09
In fact i've many things to say , but owing to the situation , I'll try to be precised and concised going directly to the chief goal, What a shame! Still exsiste violence against Women? unbeleivable, what a barbarian behaviour! Women, are ever were and are and will be our dear ; mothers, and educators of our kids" future generation"stop treating them as domestics, Slavery had been gone years ago. Where is Justice? where is Human Rights ? wish that our dream will be true, noon violence.
punish the sexual violators in Zimbabwe
Dealin tasciyan on Aug 31 09
Sexual violence towards Zimbabwen women during the elections is a horrible crime. The criminals should be punished immediately. Support and compensation should be given to Zimbabwean women.
Real Men
DeJennifer Wellard on Aug 31 09
What kind of cowardice is this? Real men don't hurt women, only cowards do such a thing. Stand up and be real men and support your women - men wouldn't be on earth without women.
We must ralley to stop this
DeYour name on Aug 30 09
I feel powerless when hearing this story. If there is a way to help... we as people of this world need to do what we can. If money is needed to resolve this problem, we must give. It is a cause that is worthy of support.
Stop violence against women in Zimbabwe
DeGeorge Anna Clark on Aug 29 09
I applaud the Zimbabwean women who have the courage to denounce these attacks and demand that the Zimbabwean government bring the perpetrators to justice. In solidarity from Mexico...
VAW weakens a state and it's capacities, wealth, future
DeMarion Boeker on Aug 29 09
Violence Against Women weakens a state and it's capacities, wealth, future of its citizens each, families, communities and the dignity of all, the victims but as well of all those who do not stop it and help that such crimes are going on.
I believe in the power of al this women and men rising their voice against violations of women's human rights. I congratulate the civil society especially the women's organizations that they started the campagne to make a change and stop that crime! My heart wants to cry for the victimes. My voice better joins your action and will be among yours.
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