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Police give permission to women in Harare, deny women in Bulawayo
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
May 08, 2003

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) will walk to express the wishes of mothers ahead of MOTHER'S DAY! WOZA is a women's civic action platform formed to break the silence and lobby on everyday issues affecting women and their families.

We will meet on Saturday 10th May - from 10 to 11:30am at Bulawayo City Hall Car Park and at Africa Unity Square, Harare The Zimbabwe Republic Police were notified as required under the Public Order Security Act (POSA) by a single letter copied to both Stations.

Yesterday, Bulawayo District Office wrote informing us that they were not approving the walk. Harare District Office wrote approving the walk but requested the organisers to remain within the environs of Africa Unity Square. A condition we accepted.

We would like to recognise the solidarity shown by the Officer Commanding Harare, whom we believe is female for allowing WOZA to conduct its peaceful procession and wish our Harare sisters well! We abhor the insensitivity of the Officer Commanding Byo District, Chief Superintendent P. Matyatya in refusing allow the exercising of our constitutional right of assembly. He obviously needs to further appreciate the need for women to lobby for equality.

WOZA knows that the struggle for women's rights will not be an easy one but that Saturday remains another step to be taken for the courageous. We remain firmly committed to ensuring the profile of women is elevated even against the backdrop of the current crisis. Women make up 56% of the population and have a majority right to exercise their voices in saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

For more information, please contact Jenni (+263) 11 213 885 (Byo) or Getrude (+263) 11 411 842 (Harare)

Visit the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) fact sheet

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