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An
open letter to political parties and civic leaders from WOZA
Women
of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
February 01, 2007
To:
First Secretary and Chairman, Zanu PF - R. G. Mugabe and John Nkomo;
and Presidents/Chairmen of all other political parties: Movement
of Democratic Change (MDC) Presidents Tsvangirai and Mutambara,
PF ZAPU, ZAPU 2000, Zanu Ndonga, UPM, UPP, PUMA, DP, Zimbabwe Peoples
Democratic Party, Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance; and Leaders of Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) and Civic Movements.
Your Excellency, Honorable Members of Parliament, Senators, Chiefs,
Mayors, Councilors, Comrades and Friends,
As we write this open letter, Zimbabweans are living in a state
of fear and uncertainty. They suffer discrimination in all its forms
and are unable to earn a living. Levels of poverty are high; unemployment
is at 82% and inflation at four figures. Non-existent service delivery
also makes life difficult. Access to education, housing and other
basic needs is now only for the rich. The HIV/AIDS pandemic, which
has created thousands of orphans and child-headed households, is
a social catastrophe compounded by a failed healthcare system and
little or no access to ARVs.
Further loss of valuable human resources is happening due to people
leaving the country in large numbers. People have been unsuccessful
at holding their government accountable due to a raft of repressive
laws and shrinking freedom of expression/media space. Corruption
at all levels of government and the politicisation of all aspects
of society has led to chaos and disorganization in every sector.
Women and men of WOZA have initiated a non-violent campaign with
the aim of mobilising Zimbabweans to demand social justice from
their leaders. The time has come to put the past behind us and start
building a better tomorrow. We plan to hold existing leaders accountable
and mobilise people to demand leaders who will deliver all aspects
of social justice and a genuinely people-driven constitution.
This resolution was made after an eleven-month, nationwide consultation
process. During 2006, over 284 meetings, consulting almost 10,000
rural and urban people on social justice were conducted. The people
spoke clearly about what they want in a new Zimbabwe and their contributions
are contained in the People's
Charter attached below.
Please open up your heart and read it sincerely knowing that it
contains the dreams and desires of a heartbroken nation. We are
looking to ALL leaders to provide a public reply and endorsement
of the People's Charter and would be happy to have this by Valentine's
Day on 14th February 2007.
WOZA looks forward to working hand in hand with any political or
civic leaders who have publicly endorsed the People's Charter to
deliver social justice and honour the wishes of the Zimbabwean people.
Members and supporters of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men
of Zimbabwe Arise.
Visit
WOZA fact
sheet
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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