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Chipinge: Resurgence of political violence
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
December 03, 2010

Ms. Murungu on the eve of 06 November 2010 had her hut burnt to ashes by youth militias. Her crime, being chairperson of a certain political party with ambitions of vying for a councilor post in the next election. The vibrant chairlady for ward 9 in Chipinge Central escaped death by a whisker when she and her children were woken up to a smoky hut and had to dash out for safety. This is one of the many cases of violence against women in Zimbabwe and in Africa at large. As we commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, under the banner, "Structures of Violence: Defining the Intersections of Militarism and Violence against Women", lest we forget hundreds of women who were victimized during the war of liberation struggle, hundreds harassed in post independence Zimbabwe all in the struggle for democracy and emancipation of women. Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) but the rate in which the rights of women are violated in the country is alarming.

Women and youth are the most vulnerable to political violence in Zimbabwe. Their struggle has many facets, they suffer as political candidates, as wives to politicians, mothers and children. Many have been assaulted, raped, kidnapped, murdered, imprisoned and called names. These 16 days of activism against gender based violence campaign brings attention to the various forms of violence that women face. The culture of militarism during election periods is prevalent in Zimbabwe's politics. There are many reported cases of abuse of women by members of the armed forces during periods of political violence. The militarization of politics and politicization of the military has seen armed forces being deployed in various areas especially in rural areas to intimidate villagers and some women have fallen prey to rape and assault by the alleged "boys on leave". The culture of militarism is an ideology that creates a culture of fear and supports the use of violence, aggression, or military interventions for settling disputes and enforcing economic and political interests. It is a psychology that often has grave consequences for the true safety and security of women and of society as a whole. There are reported cases of women who were alleged to have been raped by armed forces especially in Zaka, Muzarabani, Mwenezi, Mount Darwin, Mudzi and Gokwe in 2008 alone. Similar cases during Gukurahundi need no more emphasis. That should be condemned in all terms.

In Zimbabwean politics, women are legging behind in positions of influence. There are 210 members of parliament but women only occupy about 15% of the total number. This is as a result of the nature of election campaign which is intimidating and marred by serious violence. There are very few efforts on the part of the Government to level the playing field so as to accommodate women and with the stereotyping exacerbated by the way Africans are socialized, patriarchy takes centre stage thus disadvantaging the women in politics. There is a general misguided consensus in the country's politics that violence is an essential tool for any political party to coerce voters into voting in their favor. As the country is faced with another possibility of holding national plebiscite in 2011, politicians should be held accountable for their actions and those who incite political violence should be brought before the court of law. The composition of the organ on national healing is not gender sensitive. Women were sidelined from the initial process, they were not involved in the decision making process yet 75% of the total number of the victims of the 2008 political violence are women.

People should continue to castigate the involvement of the army in politics as they are supposed to be apolitical and serving the interests of all Zimbabweans alike. All those who were involved in committing serious atrocities especially towards women should be brought before the law as this will send a good signal to will be offenders.

We salute all the women who have suffered under the hands of military brutality, the list include but not limited to Tendai Chizengeya from Muzarabani (May her soul rest in peace), Grace Kwinje, Sekai Holland, Lucia Matibenga (MDC: March 11 2007), Oppha Muchinguri, Mai Mujuru (ZANU PF: Chimoi Massacre survivors) and many more some who succumbed to the injuries and some who are still living with the memories vivid in their minds. Let's Heal Zimbabwe now!

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