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Statement on International Women's Day
Youth Forum
March 08, 2010

The Youth Forum joins progressive forces in Zimbabwe and beyond in commemorating this year's International Women's Day. The theme for this year's commemorations is "Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all."

The International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on the 8th of March every year across the world since 1975. The day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize and celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future, regardless of divisions based on nationality and ethnicity, or cultural, economic and political affiliation. The International Women's Day started in 1908 when more than 15,000 women garment workers marched through New York City demanding better working conditions, shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights in New York. In 1910 the first International Women Conference was held in Copenhagen which determined that each year a day should be set aside to press for women's demands. The International Women Day came as a result of struggles by women for social equality, social justice, peace and development and stands for equality between women and men in all social, economic and political spheres.

As we take time to celebrate the various achievements made in our country and globally in addressing the numerous challenges facing women, we also take this opportunity to bemoan the various inequalities that continue to exist in our societies in as far as affording women equal opportunities with their male counterparts. Women, particularly those in marginalized communities, continue to be subjects of gender-based violence and discrimination, severely undermining and curtailing the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Whilst Zimbabwe is a signatory to various instruments that provide for the equal recognition of women to their male counterparts, of note being the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), little progress has been achieved on the ground in ensuring that the historical and patriarchal inequalities that exist between men and women are erased. The government of Zimbabwe has been able to enact the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, which provides for the enforcement of laws barring discrimination and violence against women. However, this seemingly good law has had little effect in addressing the scourge of domestic gender-based violence. Our mothers and sisters continue to be subjected to discrimination and violence of all forms. This is mainly exacerbated by the fact that they are neither aware of the existence of such laws and instruments nor the channels through which they can access redress in cases where their rights are violated.

We implore the government of Zimbabwe and indeed all progressive movements to prioritize educating and raising awareness among women on the existence of laws and instruments that push for women emancipation and empowerment. This should also include a sensitization program for those mandated with enforcing the law on how best they can play their role in helping to safeguard the rights of women in achieving a society that recognizes women as equal partners in societal development. The government should seriously consider empowering the womenfolk and ensure that they are also accorded equal opportunities with their male counterparts in all facets of life if progress is to be made in developing our societies and ridding them of poverty. For as long as women are not empowered, and continue to be sidelined in policy and decision making and national development, then all efforts at alleviating poverty, reducing child mortality and maternal deaths will all come to naught. Discrimination of women will surely lessen our capacity towards the genuine realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

As the Youth Forum, we take this opportunity to salute various women in Zimbabwe and across the globe who have made an indelible mark towards the empowerment of women. This year's commemoration also brings us to mark a year since the passing on of Mai Susan Tsvangirai, who died in a horrific car accident in 2009. Mai Tsvangirai was indeed a shining beacon for the pro-democracy movement and we will continue to cherish the good work and legacy that she left.

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