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Last week at a glance - Issue 59
Women's Coalition
March 22, 2011

My Thoughts

Goodbye to Shingie Chimuriwo

This past week WCoZ mourned the untimely death of Shingie Chimuriwo, a project coordinator with Norwegian People's Aid, who passed away in a terrible car crash. Shingie was a remarkable young woman, intelligent, responsive and a visionary who assisted in the founding of Young Voices. She brought light and hope into the spaces that she walked into and WcoZ remembers when she attended the launch of its Advisory Forum on the 15th of February 2011. One lesson we learn from Shingie's life is that an individual can make a positive difference in people's lives. Shingie was a young woman who left a mark in civil society because of her contributions, indeed she was a remarkable woman. Our sincere condolences to NPA and her husband and family. To Shingie, go well fellow activist and may your dear soul rest in eternal peace, Sandra

Women's Road Map to Elections

WCoZ successfully convened a two day strategy workshop of 70 women from all over Zimbabwe to come up with a Women's Roadmap to Elections on the 15th and 16th March 2011 at Pandhari Lodge.

The UN WOMEN Country Programme Manager for Zimbabwe, Ms Hodan Addou gave the keynote address and shared her experiences of supporting women's participation in governance processes in Sudan. She noted the key challenges that affected communities participation in governance were lack of awareness on the electoral processes as most of them did not have access to information. Ms Addou challenged women's organisations to take a leading role in peace building and electoral processes. Other speakers included Slyvia Chirau (WLSA), Ellena Kandororo (ZESN), Joyce Laetitia Kazembe (ZEC), Kim DaCosta (WiPSU) and Runyararo Munetsi (ZESN)

The meeting covered the whole spectrum of issues that affect women's participation in governance and elections. WCoZ made a commitment to collaborate closely with ZESN and Zimbabwe Electoral Council in the forthcoming elections. A committee was constituted to work on the text of the Women's Roadmap to elections and circulate a draft which membership would correct and endorse. WCoZ will use the draft as a lobbying tool with political leader in Zimbabwe and policy makers as well as civic society in the SADC region

Zimbabwe Women Writers launched a Women's Voices Initiative

In commemorating this year's International Women's Day, Zimbabwe Women Writers (ZWW) joined other organisations by upholding the theme "Promoting Equal Access to Education and Training, Science and Technology- pathway to decent work for women".

Zimbabwe Women Writers launched a Women's Voices Initiative which is a response to the needs of many women who had indicated the absence of women-specific e-forums. The Women's Voices Initiative will carry out deliberate communications initiatives using the genres of new media and other art forms to highlight challenges faced by women and celebrate milestones across our diversities.

The Women's Voices Initiative will be more advocacy oriented with the focus of using various forms of art and new media technologies in amplifying women's opinions and concerns. Audrey Charamba was appointed the Initiative's Coordinator and Eresina Hwede steps in as the the Acting Director for ZWW. Dr Thokozile Chitepo was the guest of honour at the event and she challenged the new initiative to embrace all forms of new media technologies in communicating issues affecting women and girls.

Gender Forum CSW Feedback Meeting

UN Women successfully convened a CSW Feedback Meeting where members of the Gender Forum and other stakeholders were invited. The objective of the meeting was sharing of insights into the proceedings of the CSW 2011. The feedback meeting was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Thokozane Khupe who gave the key insights on the African Women's Agenda in the HIV/AIDS Era and the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, who highlighted Zimbabwe's Commitment to ensuring women's access to education, training, science and technology and decent employment. Feedback also came from civic society partners who attended CSW.

Members' Profile

Musasa, initially known as Musasa Project, is a non-governmental organization which was established in May 1988 and has offices in Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru. The basis of the establishing the Project was a growing concern at the high levels of violence against women particularly domestic violence and the lack of support for the women. Musasa responds to all forms of trauma experienced by women at the hands of the perpetrators and provides shelter as a temporary place of safety for women who are in crisis.

Visit the Women's Coalition fact sheet

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