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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Inclusive government - Index of articles
Conference
report: Zimbabwean women in transition
Women's Coalition
April 07, 2009
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1. Background
What is
the WCoZ?
The WCoZ is
a network of women rights activists and women's organisations
with national structures. The WCoZ is a forum where women meet to
engage in collective activism on issues affecting women and girls
in Zimbabwe. Its central role is to provide a core point for activism
on women and girl's rights. WCoZ brings females from diverse
backgrounds to collectively advocate for the attainment and enjoyment
of their rights. The organizational members of the Coalition work
in diverse fields including health, legal aid, access to education,
gender based violence, torture, skills training, poverty reduction,
research, property rights and governance issues.
The Theme for
the day was - Bringing Zimbabwean women to the centre of the
transition."
The Conference's
Overall Goal: Mobilize women to participate actively in all aspects
of the transitional process
The Conference's
Objectives:
- To hold
one day conference for women leaders from all over Zimbabwe's
rural and urban areas and all political parties
- Discuss contents
of the GPA
as it relates to women
- Discuss critical
areas of concern in the transitional process e.g. constitutional
review, transitional justice mechanisms, socio-economic and political
reconstruction, women's participation in the transitional
governance mechanisms etc.
- Strategize
on a way forward for Zimbabwean women.
2. Worskhop
proceedings
The Workshop
Facilitator Mrs. Joyce Kazembe started the meeting by inviting Reverend
Regina Katsande to open the gathering with a prayer. The Reverend
committed and surrendered the success of the workshop into the hands
of the Almighty through song "Takomborerwa Muzita raShe"
and prayer.
The Reverend referred to the Pauline writings and encouraged all
present to undertake the day's deliberations in love, peace
and oneness, all as beings created by one God. She urged participants
to stand united and put aside all that had been dividing them, clothed
with the "forward ever and backward never" spirit.
2.1
Chairperson's remarks
In welcoming
the participants, WCoZ Chairperson, Ms Emilia Muchawa acknowledged
all present in their different capacities, which included:
- His Excellency,
Sweden's Ambassador to Zimbabwe - Stan Rylander
- Minister
of Women Affairs, Gender & Community Development (MOWAGCD)-
Hon. Dr. Olivia Muchena
- Minister
of State in the Prime Minister's Office Responsible for
National Healing and Reconstruction (MOSPMO-HO)- Hon. Sekai
Holland
- Deputy Minister
of Women Affairs, Gender & Community Development (MOWAGCD
- Hon. Evelyn Masaiti)
- Deputy Minister
of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA)- Hon. Jessie Majome
- Deputy Clerk
of Parliament (DCoP)- Ms. Helen Dingani
- Deputy Minister
of Labour and Social Welfare- Hon. Tracey Mutinhiri gave
special salute to the daughters of Zimbabwe who included representatives
from the various civic organisations, Rural women leaders, Academics
and Women Church leaders
- Women Coalition
of Zimbabwe Leadership and Membership
- Members
of the different Political Parties - MDC-T, MDC-M, ZANU PF, Mavambo
- Padare
- All collaborators
and sponsors to the Zimbabwe Women in Transition
- Women Farmers
Ms Muchawa cited
the GPA as the document that had necessitated this conference and
reiterated the importance of identifying challenges emanating from
the GPA and nonetheless harnessing it as women to participate meaningfully
in all the spaces it provided. She acknowledged efforts of women
who had begun the women's movement in Zimbabwe from the 80's
and particularly saluted founder members of the Women's Coalition
such as Thoko Matshe who was the first chairperson of WCoZ in 1999.
It was therefore in the same spirit as the founding principles of
the Coalition that this conference was being held - to ensure
women's participation in the changing landscape of Zimbabwe
including constitutional reform.
Quoting from
the Bible (Isaiah 32 verses 9-13), Ms Muchawa urged 'the daughters
of Zimbabwe to rise up and claim [their] space,' end complacency
and stop agonizing but participate in nation building. This could
be realized by women and girls' unity of purpose She acknowledged
the excellent working relationship that the MoWAGCD and women's
organizations had nurtured, strengthening the unity of purposes
in advancing the women's cause in Zimbabwe.
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