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Violence against the women of Zimbabwe condemned
Women's Coalition
April 29, 2003

The Women's Coalition condemns in the strongest terms possible the sexual, physical, psychological, emotional and other forms of violence that have been committed against the women of Zimbabwe.

We are particularly incensed by the recently reported gang rapes. The intensity and multiple forms of violence which women are being subjected to has reached intolerable and shameful levels.

Over the last few years thousands of women have been the silent and invisible victims of an orchestrated campaign of terror and politically driven violence that has swept the country. Rape is being used as a weapon to terrorise, humiliate and degrade women, pushing them into silence and accepting human rights abuses of the foulest sort.

The cultural taboos surrounding sexual violations in our society have enveloped these horrific rape crimes in cloaks of silence. The impact of this sexual violence will live with these women forever, especially given the high levels of HIV/AIDS.

We take great exception to statements applauding the patience and resilience of Zimbabwean women. Such statements suggest that it is acceptable for African women to be violated and to accommodate that oppression. Women have borne the brunt of the violence associated with politics for long enough.

Zimbabwe, is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women CEDAW. The government has committed itself to ending all forms of sexual and other gender based violent crimes against women. We demand protection under that convention.

We the Women's Coalition, an indigenous umbrella body of individual women and women's non-governmental organizations demand that the relevant authorities call for an immediate end to the violence that now colours our society. We demand that the relevant authorities deal with the matter of making our communities peaceful immediately instead of treating the violations with indifference and contempt towards women who shoulder the burden of family and other responsibilities.

For any enquiries contact us on +263-(0)91-300190
Email coalition@zol.co.zw

Visit the Women's Coalition fact sheet

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