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From peace in the homes to peace in the world: Let's challenge militarism and end violence against women
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
November 26, 2012

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition joins the world in commemorating the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, which is celebrated each year from the 25th November to the 10th November.

The 16 days of activism came about as a result of the United Nations World conference on Human Rights of 1993 which officially recognised violence against women as violation of women's rights. These are the 16 days between Intenational Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) and International Human Rights Day (10 December) to reinforce the fact that elimination of all forms of violence against women is a human rights violation.

This year's theme is: From Peace in the House to Peace in the World: Lets Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women. This theme resonates with the situation in Zimbabwe and the whole of the African region. This theme explores the complex relationships between peace, home and the world, and recognizes the many spaces that the militarism influences day to day living.

The Zimbabwe government and state actors continue to use violence to achieve political goals, employing militaristic ideologies and the need for "state security" to pass off violence and intimidation as "security " measures. Within the military's culture of violence, individuals in positions of authority believe they can commit crimes with impunity, which is exemplified by high rates of arrests, harassment and intimidation of women rights defenders. Recently in November 2012, 57 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were arrested and beaten following on-going and peaceful water shortage protests in Bulawayo. One of the women sustained a fractured hand whilst 11 others were driven out of city by police and left at a cemetery.

The upsurge of reported cases of violence against women in Zimbabwe also show a disturbing trend. Crisis Coalition also expresses deep concern over the abuse of women in the private sphere following the brutal attack on a local DJ and actress Tinopona Katsande. This lack of state accountability to bring perpetrators of sexual and gender based violence to justice remains a critical challenge to ending militarism in Zimbabwe. As the world commemorates the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, The Coalition notes that this is an opportunity for all human rights activists and Zimbabweans to condemn gender-based violence and renew their commitment and action towards its eradication.

This year's 16 Days Campaign provides an opportunity to reflect on what Zimbabwe can do to hold the government to account and challenge the structure that allow gender-based violence to continue. The Coalition encourages human rights activists to utilize the 16 Days Campaign to advocate against, raise awareness about, gender-based violence.

Zimbabwe is a state party to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which demands that states ensures security forces systems protect women and girls from gender-based violence and within this context the Zimbabwe Inclusive Government has a responsibility to respond, protect and prevent.

As the country moves towards a constitutional referendum and possible elections 2013, it is important to finger out the side-lined issue of state-sponsored violence in which ZANU-PF has evidently consolidated its grip on the army, police and secret service to unparalleled levels. Women in most part of rural Zimbabwe have become apathetic to participating in elections due to fear of rape, torture, displacements and murder as they bore the brunt of the violent 2008 Presidential election. Given this, there is need for the inclusive government to dismantle the structures of violence and protect the right of women to participate in national processes by apprehending perpetrators of violence and arraigning them before the courts of law. The continued existence of structures of violence in the country's body politic , and the continued unwitting promotion of the culture of impunity if not attended to will lead to continued women's rights abuses and further entrenchment of perpetration of violence against women.

The Coalition demands that the inclusive government;

1. Dismantle the infrastructure of violence as exemplified by youth militias, bases and partisan conduct from members of the security and justice communities.
2. Probe allegations of politically motivated violence with the view of apprehending perpetrators before possible elections in 2013.
3. Create a conducive environment for women to participate in national processes particularly as the nation moves towards the constitutional referendum and possible elections in 2013.

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe fact sheet

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