27 Jan Protecting women’s human rights is still Zimbabwe’s unfinished business
In August, ZPP recorded 213 human rights violations, with 52.5% targeting women and girls. This troubling trend underscores the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Zimbabwe.
Despite the adoption of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, women continue to face persecution. The government’s approach must demonstrate genuine political will, creating a level playing field for women and ensuring their rights are respected.
Among the arrested was a young girl, due to writing her Ordinary Level examinations.
Arbitrary arrests, torture, harassment, and intimidation of women hinder development. In August, human rights defenders, including women among the Avondale 78, endured prolonged pre-trial detention and inhumane treatment. Among the arrested was a young girl, due to writing her Ordinary levels examinations this year. Spending three months in prison was not only detrimental to her psychological well-being but deprived her of the much needed time to learn and prepare for her examinations. This must be avoided at all costs.
Despite some of the cases not making it into the headlines, women across the country are being harassed and facing daily intimidation from various sectors, including the over politicisation of community development programs.
Women are bearing the brunt of partisan food distribution amidst drought-induced insecurity.
Whereas all victims may be affected by human rights violations, women are more disproportionately affected due to systemic gender inequality and discrimination, lack of access to resources and intersectional marginalisation.
The psychological impact of human rights violations on women affects their families, given their role as primary caregivers. Recent harassment and violations against human rights activists and pro-democracy women are unacceptable.
ZPP calls all progressive forces to stand in solidarity with these brave women and demand that the government takes concrete actions to implement the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, ensure women’s equal participation in peace and security processes and protect women from human rights violations and hold perpetrators accountable
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