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Global Campaign for Education Week - WOZA
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
June 03, 2004

Women of Zimbabwe Arise - (WOZA) organised a peaceful protest during the Global Campaign for Education Week. The March, which was held on May 29th, also coincided with celebration to mark Africa Liberation Day. Hundreds of WOZA women braved possible arrest and detention to march. They marched not because they were celebrating but because they are unhappy with Governments neglect of Education and Women's Liberation. Their slogan for the day was: HANDS UP FOR GIRLS' EDUCATION - HANDS UP FOR WOMENS' LIBERATION.

Leading up to the march over 30 community meetings were held in Harare and Bulawayo and over a thousand women had the opportunity to debate on the education issue and share their problems. Finally on Thursday 27th over 500 women converged at a public meeting in Harare and made final plans for the March. In Bulawayo 250 women met and also finalised their plans for the march. When Saturday 29th May dawned final instructions were made available and Harare women converged on Town House. Bulawayo women met at Tredgold Buildings, which houses the Provincial Magistrates Court. WOZA women wore their scarves and handed out cards and roses to the girl child as they marched. Zimbabweans are becoming braver as they come out of their offices to watch the marches and in shouting encouragement to the singing women.

In Harare, WOZA partnered with the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and over 500 women marched with the Police band in front. PTUZ had notified Police about the march. Solidarity messages were given at Africa Unity Square and women enjoyed putting across their messages. The Ministry of Education letter given to PTUZ encouraging them to march ended with the advice, "We are our own Liberators". WOZA take this to heart Mr Civil Servant!

In Bulawayo, Police are intolerant of WOZA, so they were not accorded any official notice, WOZA has understood the Zimbabwean Constitution basic freedoms and urge the Police to read this document and understand it allows for peaceful marches.

As a result of Police intolerance, Bulawayo Women came prepared to march and expected to be arrested by Police. Last march, Police actually released a man who was marching with WOZA and kept a pregnant woman in custody instead. About 150 women risked arrest and started the march by singing, 'Amalungelo' , a favorite marching song calling for our rights. 30 minutes later we were addressed by one of our activists outside the door of The Chronicle, we then left all our placards and leaflets at the door expecting fair coverage of our march. We have seen no coverage to date! By this omission of a news story right under their noses so to speak, The Chronicle admit that they are a state propaganda tool and have given up on news reporting.

The march was then dispersed at The Chronicle without a single arrest. As women made their way through town, Riot police stopped them asking them if they had seen the WOZA women! One of the WOZA lawyers was shopping in town and met us with the frustrated Riot policemen who asked her if she had see us - of course she had not seen us either! Homes of leaders were visited but occupants were otherwise occupied getting news of the wonderful march by our Harare sisters had done and the songs they had sung with the Police Band. Some of the leaders were also very busy removing layers of clothing they had worn in preparation for 48 hours in custody with no blankets and the biting winter cold.

'Mother WOZA' celebrates the courage shown by Zimbabwean women who 'came forward' to march in honour of the girl child and true liberation for women. Thank you Sisters, you are true SHeroes - Aluta Continua! A big thank to our brothers from the press who turned up to record the event.

It was to deliver these messages that we marched: In 1980, our government promised us the RIGHT to EDUCATION. This right is also in The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and in our Education Act. The international community also undertook to provide EDUCATION FOR ALL by 2015 and an equal number of boys and girls in school by year 2005!

Read the May issue of the WOZA Moya Newsletter

Visit the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) fact sheet

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