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Women of Zimbabwe take to the streets demanding dignity
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
November 17, 2005

Over four hundred members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) took to the streets of Bulawayo and Harare Thursday 17 November in protest against the holding of Senatorial Elections instead of dignifying Zimbabweans with food, water, housing and basic needs. The women were able to complete their demonstrations and disperse before Riot Police could arrive. Information to hand indicates that four women were arrested after the protest and lawyers are attempting to obtain their release.

WOZA, known for their peaceful street protests, have conducted over 30 protests in its three year existence and over 800 women have spend up to 48 hours in custody, some more than once. On 31 March over 265 women and 20 babies spent a night in custody after conducting a prayer vigil on Election night.

In the marches, women carried placards with differing messages, including, 'the Senate will make us poorer', 'we are starving' and 'Senate is not a priority'. They distributed WOZA's newsletter, Woza Moya (Come Healing Wind) and sang songs like Amalungelo (we are fighting for our rights) and chanting 'Tairamba Senate (we have refused the Senate)'.

In Harare women marched towards Parliament and left their placards and flyers there. Riot Police approached walking very slowly and most of the women had already dispersed before they could arrest only four women. WOZA takes this to signify that their vote is for dignity, not poverty. The procession began in Fourth Street and ended close to Parliament. This is the sixth WOZA demonstration in Harare this year.

In Bulawayo, as women gathered to prepare for the march, three bus loads (approx 250) of Youth Militia arrived, parked and disembarked. Leaders had to keep a cool head and waited to determine if the WOZA march was on the notorious brigade's agenda. Very soon though, they walked off to queue at a nearby bank, obviously hoping to obtain a few pennies for themselves. Having determined this, the protest began harnessing extreme courage after chanting the Woza Moya slogan. The demonstration proceeded along Fife Avenue to The Chronicle offices where the women left their placards and fliers before dispersing. When The Chronicle reaches the streets tomorrow without a mention of the WOZA demonstration, it will be further evidence that there is no freedom of the press even when the news happens right outside their front door. Riot Police and Law and Order Vehicles were seen speeding towards The Chronicle by the dispersing women. Once again WOZA caught them napping! This is the ninth WOZA demonstration in Bulawayo this year.

The leaders of WOZA are currently in a safe house aimed at preventing the normal attempts to arrest them in their homes after failing to get them at their 'place of work' in the streets.

WOZA is also part of the 'Speak Out Coalition', which is calling for a Boycott of the Senatorial Elections and is asking citizens to participate in a protest referendum. The referendum choices are simple: vote for the Senate and vote for more poverty; boycott the Senate and vote for Dignity. This is an activist grassroots door-to-door campaign being conducted in urban and rural areas. Results will be announced next week.

For more information, please email taurai_khulumani@yahoo.com

Visit the WOZA fact sheet

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