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NCA launches report on human rights violations experienced by female members
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
March 23, 2010

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) today launched a report Fighting for a new constitution: Human Rights Violations experienced by Female Members of the National Constitutional Assembly, at the Meikles Hotel in Harare . The launch was attended by women representatives from various structures of the NCA, civic society leaders, partners and members of the media.

The report is based on findings of a research conducted by the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU). It captures human rights violations perpetrated against NCA females members since 2000 to 2008. According to the report 75% women reported that they hade been active political activists. 41 % of these reported being arrested, with 29% having been arrested twice. 35% of those arrested were intimidated during arrest, whilst 46% reported that the worst treatment came from police officers. 9% reported having their young children being detained with them.

In a speech read on his behalf by the organisation's spokesperson Madock Chivasa, NCA Chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku saluted the role women have played in the country's struggle for democracy and a new constitution. 'Zimbabwean women have been the bedrock of our struggle for democracy. Our mothers and sisters have refused to just sit and let a despot have his way', said Madhuku. 'Whilst the report documents human rights violations, it also tells the story of women standing up to injustice and boldly declaring that they too will, through peaceful action, add their voice to the building of participatory social democracy', Madhuku added.

He further blasted the Mugabe led regime for systematically targeting women because of their vulnerability. ''Their vulnerability is supposed to send an unambiguous message to all who seek participation in the fight for democratic reforms,'' said Dr Maduku.

Chivasa also encouraged the inclusive government to take steps to ensure that the rights of women and children to participate in political and civic processes are protected. By launching the report, the NCA hopes it will encourage politicians to consider deeply whether the demands for a genuine people driven constitution can be wished away.
'We will not sell-out the ideals which have been at the core of our struggle for democracy for the document fished from Kariba,' Chivasa quipped. 'The road from Lancaster House to a free, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe is through a new constitution not through Kariba. Kariba leads to the same authoritarianism we are fighting', he added

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