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Dag Hammarsjkold Commemorations off on high note
Africa University
October 10, 2006

Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Mrs Abigail Damasane has challenged participants at the Dag Hammarsjkold Commemorative event to advocate the stronger participation of women in decision making processes and positions and to also follow in the footsteps of Former United Nations Secretary General, Dag Hammarsjkold, who made it his life-long commitment to being an ambassador of peace and goodwill.

Speaking at Africa University in Mutare today, at events to mark the life and work of Dag Hammarsjkold, and to also celebrate the Africa University Gender Week, Mrs Damasane spoke on the equality of men and women as the only precursor to a sustainable, just and developed society.

The Deputy Minister focused her attention on international ratifications which have been passed to secure women’s rights to voting and other legislative processes, and applauded the fact that in Africa as a whole, women have been appointed to decision making positions in countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia and Mozambique. However, the security of women remained at the mercy of structural defects in society, such as the patriarchy were women were still subject to negative cultural practices such as early and forced marriages, wife inheritance and female genital mutilation. "Even in the confines of their homes, women are still subject to violence and abuse" and therefore there is need for laws which protect the rights of women.

The Domestic Violence Bill, she said, at its second reading in Parliament, would be an instrument through which women would be protected by law. The student body was urged to engage in the lobbying processes of the bill. "So far, we have gone a thousand steps towards that bill and I have no doubt that it will be passed into law in the very near future."

Also speaking at the same event, the Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Sten Rylander also spoke on the legacy of Dag Hammarsjkold. The Ambassador highlighted Sweden’s policy of non- participation in military alliances and how his government has placed a high premise on the preservation of peace. "Peace is more than just the absence of war, it is about transforming our societies and uniting our global community to work together for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world." The Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe is co-host to the Dag Hammarsjkold Commemorations.

Africa University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rukudzo Murapa re-affirmed that the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance serves as a "focal point for our institutional response to issues of peace and development in Africa…… they must be continually informed by research, training and documentation with both the voices of grassroots levels and those in policy-making positions being heard."

The dance-drama "Dance Peace Africa" left many participants in awe. Pure theatrical prowess with vivid imageries by the cast in various scenes proved to be both heartrending and hilarious; providing lighter moments for the audience.

Chairman of the University of Zimbabwe Department of Theatre Arts, Owen Seda said the dance-drama is a typical presentation of the power balances which exist in society today, which are tipped against women, "Women are sidelined in issues such as war and violence , but the reality is that, once you have sidelined women, you have violated everyone’s rights." He went on to say that women were the worst victims of such war situations, but in emergent peace situations, were sidelined in peace-making processes and the eventual successes of respective governments.

"Women have also never been able to get legal recourse in many human rights abuses and these are some of the issues that the play discussed." Tinevimbo Mtengwa, a final year student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences says, "I laughed and cried,this is clear representation of the suffering that women go through in many aspects of their lives, many times the stories are never told and may never be heard."

The theme for this year’s event is Peace, Leadership, Gender and Development in Africa. Among others, seminar presentations on peacebuilding efforts in Darfur and the DRC will form part of the discussions for the week.

Now in its third year running, the Dag Hammarsjkold commemorations, co-hosted by the Swedish Embassy and Africa University have become a platform for discussing issues of peace and development in Africa.

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