Statement of the World Student Christian Federation on the Announcement of an Agreement to Form an Inclusive Government in Zimbabwe

Statement of the World Student Christian Federation
On the Announcement of an Agreement to Form an Inclusive Government in Zimbabwe


The World Student Christian Federation welcomes the announcement of an agreement to form an inclusive Government in Zimbabwe. While we await the full details our thoughts and prayers are with the students, young people and ordinary families in Zimbabwe at this critical juncture. Having suffered so much from a legacy of violence, food shortages, unemployment, collapsed health, education and other vital services – we hope that the agreement will be implemented in a way that fully addresses the dire needs of ordinary Zimbabweans.

WSCF also fervently hopes that this historic agreement marks Zimbabwe’s return to the rule of law and to effective governance for and by the people. We hope that the political leaders will be guided by the principles of good faith and be faithful to the agreement and work selflessly towards its proper implementation.

We trust that the global ecumenical movement and the international community will fulfill their pledge to support the people of Zimbabwe as they begin a challenging process of national healing, reconciliation, reconstruction and renewal.

Reverend Michael Wallace
General Secretary
World Student Christian Federation


About the WSCF
The World Student Christian Federation is a global movement of students working for dialogue, ecumenism, social justice and peace. Founded in 1895, the Federation brings together more than 2 million students in 105 national student Christian movements.
Website www.wscfglobal.org

Summary of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) report detailing trauma experienced by their members

WOZA counts the cost of their courage in a new report

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) launched a report detailing the
trauma experiences of their members on Wednesday 19 August 2008.
The event was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa with
attendance by press, diplomats, civic society leaders and members
of WOZA. The report is entitled “Counting the Cost of Courage:
Trauma Experiences of Women Human Rights Defenders in
Zimbabwe”.
In 2007 research was carried out to determine the nature and
extent of violations perpetrated on WOZA members by state actors.
It used a questionnaire administered verbally to more than 2,000
WOZA members. The major results were detailed in a report
released in March 2008 entitled ‘The Effects of Fighting
Repression with Love’. They showed a high level of arrests,
assaults, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,
primarily by members of various sections of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police.

One section of the questionnaire sought to document traumatic
experiences of WOZA women in order to understand the basis of
possible psychological and emotional disorders arising from their
civic activism - ‘counting the cost of their courage’. The
report launched today outlines these findings.

The research
The research explored two broad categories of trauma: ●
“displacement” experiences - a concept first developed
first in relation to the psychological and emotional plight of
refugees fleeing war zones. It details events such as loss of
home, failing to access food and medical care, being lost, being
caught up in fighting and similar experiences.
● The second source of trauma is “organized violence and
torture” (OVT), including events of torture per se as well as
assaults, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment, and verbal
threats, insults and taunts.

The data relating to trauma was based on the Harvard Trauma
Questionnaire [HTQ]. It was altered slightly from previous uses
in Zimbabwe in order to include an historical element, so that
there might be a long-range understanding of the women’s
experience of trauma throughout their adult lives. Interviewees
were asked to indicate trauma events in two forms: those they
have experienced themselves, and those they witnessed being
experienced by others. They were asked to record these events for
three periods: pre-Independence, 1980-1999, and for each year
since 1999.
Conclusions
The findings of the report indicate that Zimbabwe is a
“complex emergency”: significant violence, severe economic
decline, and the destruction of social capital, which means
resembles a war. As is the case in most complex emergencies,
women and their families are generally the most common victims,
and Zimbabwe is no exception. Many women of all ages have been
brutalized, raped, tortured, and even killed for their political
activities and of those of their male family members. As children
are normally in the presence of their mothers, they been equally
victimised. Most often such victims demonstrate psychological
effects of their experience and witnessing of traumatic events.
Additional findings indicate that: ● Zimbabweans have a
history of mass trauma dating back to colonial experiences. The
members of WOZA have experienced trauma over all the past three
decades, as well as before Independence in 1980.

● The frequency of trauma of all kinds has been steadily
increasing. An average of 2.9 events per respondent for the
pre-Independence period doubled to 5.8 in the two
post-Independence decades, and then tripled to 16.7 in the period
2000 to 2007.
● There are generally more displacement experiences than OVT
however - indicative of the worsening socio-economic situation.

● It was found that 1,051 [53%] women in the sample had scores
indicative of psychological disorder.
● Trauma research suggests that repeated exposure to trauma
has a cumulative effect, making the victim more likely to suffer
from a psychological disorder. Zimbabwean women, with their
history of repeated trauma through recent history are then
candidates for clinical psychological symptoms resulting from
repeated trauma of various types.
● WOZA women have received very little counselling to help
them deal with their trauma. Some group healing sessions with
professional counsellors were organized, but remarkably, the
women seemed more concerned to discuss their ‘displacement’
issues than their experiences of OVT, which they said they
expected in any case and they had recovered from. Of course, this
does not mean that they do not have any trauma-related disorders,
but they themselves do not perceive them, and their observed
behaviour does not indicate them either. It is possible that the
psychological effects of their trauma may well be lessened due to
their understanding of the reason for their suffering and their
preparedness to make a sacrifice for the future of their families
and their nation.
WOZA Recommendations
What is clear is that the Zanu PF government seems to be
oblivious to the destructive impact of widespread use of violence
as a political tool of control and repression. Although it has
appeared to have achieved its immediate goal of stifling dissent
for some years, it has surely had seriously adverse long-term
effects on both the victims and the perpetrators.
It is also clear that any government has a responsibility to
care for the welfare of its people. At what point will a
Zimbabwean government confront the legacy of trauma and look to
begin a healing process? This must be an important consideration
in determining what form of authority emerges from the current
SADC mediation process.

In order to deal with the problem of the prevalence of OVT as a
common feature of our society, we recommend the following:

● Stop the political violence; disband militia camps in all
areas of the country. Any political violence must be reported,
investigated and prosecuted through the courts without any form
of favour or political influence.
● Intensive research should be undertaken into the effects of
OVT on Zimbabweans, both as victims and as perpetrators.
● A centre be established within Zimbabwe to carry out
research, training and treatment related to victims and
perpetrators of violence.
● A needs assessment be conducted regarding what treatment is
needed to heal both victims and perpetrators.
● Research should be conducted and disseminated on the most
effective ways for non-violent protestors to prepare themselves
to lessen the traumatic effects of torture and other forms of
violence.
● All government law enforcement agents be trained
specifically on their international responsibilities regarding
OVT and be required to make specific commitments not to follow
orders which require them to contravene this commitment; an
international rescue programme could be established to assist any
who lose employment as a result of adhering to this commitment.
● All members of the government, defence forces and party
institutions who are identified as perpetrators be required to
appear before a forum where they admit their crimes; the more
senior officers identified as giving orders should be
prosecuted.
● Joint sessions of victims and perpetrators should be held to
aid the healing process on both sides.
● Government should immediately lift the current ban on
organisations providing humanitarian assistance and also allow a
United Nations team to address the humanitarian crisis and
widespread hunger without political interference.
● A transitional authority should form a body to consult and
develop a transitional justice plan of action designed to bring
healing and reconciliation and then deal with justice and
restitution for victims in the new Zimbabwe.

The type of evil that has become an integral part of government
behaviour in Zimbabwe must be eradicated and the mindset of power
hunger and disrespect for other human beings overcome. It can
only happen through the actions of a government with a strong
will to correct wrongs and ensure that the rights of all
Zimbabweans be respected. We therefore believe that the most
appropriate government to replace the current illegitimate
incumbent would be a non-political transitional authority whose
members have as a priority transitional process of healing,
transforming and rebuilding. Such an authority will have the
capacity and neutrality necessary to dismantle the structures of
violence and oppression.
Nonetheless, whatever format the new political dispensation in
Zimbabwe takes, it will need to embark on an official programme
of acknowledgement of injustices. Economic recovery and
democratic reform, whilst imperative, can only go so far in
restoring the dignity of people. We believe that for dignity to
be fully restored a new administration needs to assist individual
survivors to rebuild their broken lives whilst ensuring that
‘liveable peace’ is achieved. It is the only way
Zimbabweans can bury the ghosts of their past and move forward
into a more secure future.

As well as outlining the findings on the research done on WOZA
members, the launch also outlined some statistics of
post-election violence since the 29 March harmonised elections,
giving a brief overview of the horror that many Zimbabweans have
been faced with in the last few months. These statistics added
further poignancy to the call for a lasting peaceful solution in
Zimbabwe and the urgent need for a national programme of
healing.

Ends
19th August 2008

A copy of the full report is available on request by email or
can be downloaded from the website at www.wozazimbabwe.org
<http://www.wozazimbabwe.org>. The statistics on the
post-election violence and individual case histories of survivors
are also available. For more information please contact either
Jenni Williams on +263 912 300 456 or +263 912 898 110, Magodonga
Mahlangu on +263 912 363 668 or Annie Sibanda on +263 912 898
112.

Overcoming fear with faith - sermon preached in Johannesburg by Dr Roderick Hewitt

Sermon preached in Johannesburg, on 14 July
By Dr Roderick Hewitt, CWM moderator
At special Assembly on Zimbabwe, organised by SACC, CWM, UCCSA, UPCSA
Copyright (c) Roderick Hewitt


Overcoming Fear with Faith
1Kings 18

Introduction
You have entrusted me with this awesome responsibility which I regard as a great honour and privilege of delivering the message at this opening service of the Zimbabwe Summit. I am an African Jamaican who has been influenced by the philosophy of that great Jamaican and Pan-Africanist, Marcus Mosiah Garvey and Rastafarai hermeneutics that strongly embraces an Afro-centric worldview. I can still remember how Jamaicans joined with millions around the world and celebrated the liberation of Zimbabwe from Ian Smith’s illegitimate colonial government. It was Bob Marley who penned the famous words: “Africans a liberate Zimbabwe” in celebration of the liberation struggle that resulted in the overthrowing of the government. To thousands of independent citizens with great hopes and aspiration for their nation he sang out in Harare “Africans a liberate Zimbabwe”. Mugabe and his War Veterans danced on Independence Day, April 18, 1980 as Bob sang the opening verse:

“Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny,
And in this judgement there is no partiality.
So arms in arms with arms, we’ll fight this little struggle
‘Cause that’s the only way we can overcome our little trouble!”
In response the chorus line affirmed: Brother, you’re right, you’re right, so right!

In this judgement there is no partiality
Why then after 28 years, are we gathered in this place to remind the regime that every one within the nation of Zimbabwe got the right to decide the nation’s destiny? It was not right when the Western Powers’ Trojan horse, Ian Smith was in power and it is still not right when Mugabe the liberation war hero has betrayed the revolution because of his regime’s oppression of his people. Bob Marley prophetic words remind us that: “in this judgement there is no partiality”! Marley warned him about the possibility of a great betrayal of the Zimbabwe people:

“ No more internal power struggle;
We come together to overcome this little trouble
Soon we’ll find out who is the true revolutionary
‘Cause I don’t want my people to be contrary”

Betraying the Liberation
Bob Marley must be turning now in his grave when he sees what is going on in this beloved African nation that has been for so long a symbol of hope to so many Africans at home and in the Diaspora. Now it has become our worst nightmare. Right now if Bob were alive in flesh he would be in the struggle against the actions of this regime whose hands are stained with the blood of suffering Zimbabweans. He would want to remind Mr Mugabe of the final verse that says:

“To divide and rule could only tear us apart;
To every man’s chest, there beats a heart.
So soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionary
And I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries”.

“Brother, you’re wrong, you’re wrong, you’re so wrong!”
The new chorus would go like this: “Brother, you’re wrong, you’re wrong, you’re so wrong!” In the same way that Ian Smith’s regime was wrong, your regime is wrong because of the harm you have done to your own people. It makes no sense to hide behind the veil of a sovereignty cult. You are so wrong in believing that being heroes of the liberation struggle indemnifies you from accountability. The rogue behaviour of the militias suggests that they genuinely believe that they have been ordained to rule Zimbabwe forever. They have become addicted to power and cannot do without the drug! Former UN Secretary General and African statesman Kofi Annan declared that no government has the right to hide behind national sovereignty in order to violate the human rights or fundamental freedom of its people”. Again I echo the words of Bob Marley “Brother, you’re wrong, you’re wrong, you’re so wrong!”

Killing in the name of false sovereignty
Who would have believed that in 28 years this beloved nation would be held to ransom by a regime that murders, starves and brutalises the very citizens for whom a war of liberation was waged? How could one so respected and loved betrays the dream of so many? What is so troubling and painful is how the regime allowed militia to participate in killing and maiming ordinary Zimbabweans including women and children without revulsion. Such behaviour can only be explained in what is observed in animal pack group dynamics. In any state that nurtures a security culture that demands unquestionable obedience, as was in Rwanda and Germany, then ordinary people can be schooled in the name of ideology to kill even their own family for the agenda of the party.

Lest we forget
Today, we say to the peoples of Mashonaland with burnt and empty villages harassed by state-sponsored militias that used violence as a tool to control and force a people to submit to their one party state, we will remember and will hold accountable the perpetrators of your pain. To the people of Matabeleland who experienced genocide when about 20,000 persons died at the hands of a military junta, we will hold accountable those who have done this horrendous and evil act. To the many who disappeared of whom no one can say where they have been taken, today we say they will not be forgotten! And to you the refugees who have fled this tyranny, Jesus, the refugee saviour understands your plight because he also had to flee the tyrant Herod as a child when his parents found refuge in Egypt.

The Church taking sides
We are here as churches united in our solidarity with the suffering peoples of Zimbabwe . We were there with the people of Zimbabwe during their struggle for independence. Against much criticism from conservative political and religious forces the WCC and the AACC took sides and supported the Liberation movement. Allan Bosack reminds us in his open letter to the Zimbabwean churches, that these ecumenical organizations were accused of being communists for the support that they gave. What an irony that this regime is now opposing their work because they are standing up against their injustice! With the same prophetic voice that the church used to speak out against the rogue government of Ian Smith regime and the continuing failure of the British Government to live up to the Lancaster House agreement, so too Mugabe’s regime is found to have been weighed in the balance and found wanting! Claiming neutrality in the face of injustice and oppression is not an option for the Church’s understanding of its ministry and mission. It is better for us to risk failure than non- involvement! So the peoples of Zimbabwe who are suffering can be assured of the continuing practical support of the ecumenical movement.

Leadership in Crisis
I was led by the Spirit to read again 1Kings 18 and 19 that outlined the epic struggle between Elijah and the evil regime of King Ahab who married Jezebel, the daughter of the King of Phoenicia whose faith commitment was to the god Baal and not Yahweh. Leadership is a strategic ingredient in the development of any nation and when there is poor and dysfunctional leadership then the people will surely pay a heavy price! For far too long has there been an unholy intimate connection between the welfare of the country and the welfare of the leader. It follows that where unstable and unfocussed leadership exist then the nation will reflect this instability. As it was with Ahab’s leadership, I submit that the government of Zimbabwe has encountered its worst nightmare and a day of accountability is coming very soon! It has deluded itself in believing that the battle is with western forces. But that is simply scapegoating! The real battle is between the regime and the Zimbabwe people that it is seeking to enslave and any regime that builds its authority by oppressing the people has incurred the wrath of God.

Ordinary people pay the price for failed leadership
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was in a terrible state of drought and famine. The failed leadership of Ahab and Jezebel brought the country to its knees. The people were reduced to a powerless and hopeless state. Through fear, intimidation and assassination the people became enslaved by one who claimed to be their leader. They were so beaten that they feared imagining an alternative to Ahab’s power. They were led to believe that the cost would be too great to change course. He silenced his critics with bribes and they became spiritually impotent. The true Priests and prophets of Yahweh were on the run hiding in caves. Jezebel launched a crusade against the true worship of Yahweh and installed her own “Bishops and Priests” who would be accountable to the political directorate rather than to Jehovah! When the earthly powers believe that they are sovereign and all powerful then God appoints an Elijah.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely
It’s interesting how the Zimbabwe regime is modelling that of Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab’s wife was his key advisor. She was a jealous and fanatical worshipper of Baal, the Canaanite god of rain and fertility. Even though Ahab was brought up as a true worshipper of Yahweh he changed course through his quest for total power. He helped Jezebel build a temple to Baal (1Kings 16:29-34) and did nothing to stop her persecuting the worshippers of Yahweh. Those who were unable to stand up to the suffering and persecution gave in and bowed to Baal. In doing so the political powers gave them privileges. In a time of drought and famine they got subsidized food and no harassment from the secret police. People are always ready to give their loyalty to those who give them privileges.

Abdication of responsibility
To stand up for Yahweh at a time of great persecution was not easy. Elijah appeared on the scene proclaiming that Ahab’s reign will be characterised by a season of drought because of the regime’s bare-faced and self-centred life that was rooted in serving and giving loyalty to gods of their own making. It was the tyranny of Ahab and Jezebel that oppressed and divided Israel and the same can be said of Mugabe’s regime. Elijah saw no room for compromise with Ahab, Jezebel and their Baal gods. It is time for show down! People must choose where they stand. God’s people must take sides! The church must take sides! Sitting on the fence folding arms is not an option. Not choosing is to choose! Ahab and Jezebel accused Elijah of being the troubler of Israel ! They took no responsibility for the crisis in their nation. They looked for external enemies to blame for the ill in the nation that their poor leadership created. Like Ahab, it is Mugabe’s unquenchable lustful quest for and maintenance of power that in the end will undo him and expose his real weakness.

The Lord sees, hears, is concerned and is ready to rescue
Today our presence in this place is meant to send a message to the blood-stained hands of this illegitimate regime in Zimbabwe that the battle is not yet over; it has only just begun! We are here to proclaim the word of the Lord, that he sees the misery of his people; he has heard them crying out because of their oppressors; he is concerned about their suffering, and he has come to rescue them (Ex. 3:7). Today we call on the people of Zimbabwe to choose…to take sides to reject fear and intimidation. Our duty and purpose here today is to send a strong signal to the peoples of Zimbabwe that they must not surrender to the despot because he is not sovereign! God alone is sovereign! His days are numbered and the day of decision is near. The showdown in Zimbabwe is consistent with what happened to Ahab. It is all about loyalty and sovereignty. Listen to the question that Elijah posed to the nation of Israel: “How long will you go limping between two opinions? (18:21)

Stand Up and Face up to what you believe in!
A great show down is coming soon when the peoples of Zimbabwe will see for themselves that this all powerful regime that demonstrates such audacity, insolence, arrogance and petulance is really like an emperor with no clothes. It behaves like that because at the core it is really weak and impotent.

Show down on Mount Carmel
In the show down on Mount Carmel ! The regime of Ahab and his priests of Baal thought that the scales were tipped heavily on their side. This was a contest that they could not afford to loose, but a severe humiliation awaited them. In the end the people saw through deception and rogue power. The regime made gods for themselves to support their deception. The whole situation resulted in severe humiliation for a leader who had forgotten how God-given kingship should function. This big bad bully that cut down the prophets and priests of Yahweh failed to perform at the contest that he could not fix! In the open with neutral monitors present, there was no room for manipulation and the people saw for themselves that Baal was no god at all!

The drought is ending! Rainfall is coming!
Let those who have ears to hear, listen to what the spirit is saying! Because the regime refused to listen it brought God’s judgement upon itself.” The regime was dead set against the truth and in the end it was the truth that led to its down fall. Ahab was devoted to untruth and protected himself from truth at all cost. As Ahab returned to Jezreel to continue his feeble rule, his wife unleashed a deadly attack on the critics of the regime and Elijah was top on the assassination list. But did they realise that the end was near. A time will come when the people will be free from their fear of rogue powers. Better days are coming! The people of Zimbabwe will overcome. From this conference a strong word will be sent to Harare that Rainfall is coming! The time of drought is ending! Prepare to plant again, it is going to rain!
(c) Rev Dr Roderick Hewitt
Moderator, Council for World Mission

Praying for Zimbabwe and Botswana

Monday Morning Prayers in the Ecumenical Centre
Praying through the ecumenical prayer cycle for Botswana and Zimbabwe

Welcome
Call to prayer
We gather to remember and accompany the people of Botswana and Zimbabwe,
in the name of the blessed Trinity, one God, now and forever.
Amen

O Lord, open my eyes,
that I may see the need of others,
open my ears that I may hear their cries,
open my heart so that they need not be without succour.
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak
because of the anger of the strong,
nor afraid to defend the poor,
because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
and use me to bring them to these places.
Open my eyes and ears that I may, this coming day,
be able to do some work of peace for you.
( Shona prayer)

Song: Praise the God of all creation (sung in English)

Prayerful meditation

L: They have been saying “Our world is not in danger”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “We need time to discuss it”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “All our efforts are in vain”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “Let’s just enjoy life”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “This is God’s design for the earth”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “There’s no way to stop it”.

Sung Response: This is the only world (sung as a canon)


Psalm 104: 24, 31-25 (read antiphonally)

All: O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Women: May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works

Men: who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.

Women: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Men: Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!

All: O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Stand to sing: Thuma Mina 84 (twice)
Rakanaka Vhangeri Rakanaka
Rakanaka Vhangeri Rakanaka

Ndanguri ndaku udze kuti Rakanaka
Ndanguri ndaku udze kuti Rakanaka

Bible reading - Luke 4 16-21
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

A time of silence

Prayers of the People

Song: Mayezinwe (from South Africa)


L: Great God of all
we pray to you for the people of Botswana and Zimbabwe
Assure them of your Spirit’s comfort and support
at all times and in all places.
Hallowed be your name

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for all people everywhere working for justice and peace in the world, send your Spirit to renew and refresh their commitment.
When war and violence threaten lives and destroy communities
May your Spirit of peace teach us:
Blessed are the peacemakers

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for all seeking to bring practical
and humanitarian aid to people in need throughout the world
May your Spirit of love fuel practical solidarity between human beings
Your kingdom come

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for all facing illness in body mind or spirit,
for all who struggle on a daily basis to find enough water or food.
We unite our voice with theirs saying:
Give us this day our daily bread

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for ourselves, our friends, colleagues and families.
In our lives and in our work grant us your Spirit’s steadfast support
Lift us up when we are discouraged
Comfort us when we are downhearted
Celebrate with us when we rejoice.
At all times
Your will be done

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

The Lord’s Prayer (each in her or his own language)

Blessing
Now go out into the world to sow seeds of peace with justice,
And may:
The God of overflowing creative energy
The Jesus of vast compassion
The Holy Spirit who turns chaos to life enhancing wholesomeness
Be with you as you go.
Amen.

Sing:
Reamo Leboga, reamo leboga, reamo leboga,
Modimo warona.

Women in Zimbabwe speak - what has 28 years of independence brought women?

The following was published by Women's Watch
You can get updates on women in Zimbabwe from http://Kubatana.net

WOMENS WATCH 9/08
[24th April 2008]

What has 28 Years of Independence brought Women

As we commemorated Independence Day on Friday 18th, Womens Watch thought it would be interesting to hear what women are mulling over after 28 years of freedom. We spoke to women across the board and here are their reflections on Independence and Women.

**********
What comes to my mind is the economic independence most Zimbabwean women have attained. Right now in this current socio-political climate it is women who are carrying the sustainability of Zimbabwean households on their shoulders. Most women - whether they are doing care work overseas or cross border traders, accountants, doctors, lawyers or even vegetable vendors - are ultimately out-earning husbands or partners.

In addition the education we have received in Zimbabwe enables us to compete equally at all levels and I have noticed that, particularly in civic society sector where I am active, we make decisions and our voices are reverberating across the nation. We are strong and powerful and we are being recognised for that. In fact many of the movements are being headed by women.

One of the difficulties is that some of us are unable to reconcile the power and independence we hold with the way we were socialised but it is extremely encouraging that this situation allows us to be positive influences on both our girl children and boy children. My daughter is being brought up knowing that anything is possible and achievable.

Abigail Gamanya, Media activist, Coordinator of Media Alliance of Zimbabwe

**********
Twenty eight years of Independence has given me the opportunity to get connected with myself. I was privileged enough to get my first degree in the late 80s and I used that qualification wisely. I now work as a freelance consultant in the region and I am thankful that Ive managed to be who I am.

Im sad that I cant imagine what the future will be for my children. At least I can afford great quality education for them but I worry because there is no future for them in this country. All institutions have collapsed - education, health, social fabric and just the infrastructure of Zimbabwe as a whole. I know that there are lots of kids with great qualifications who are loitering on the streets, cleaning old peoples homes and looking after the aged in the diaspora. They are not enjoying the benefits of their great education like I did. Now I wonder with this bleak future compounded by political uncertainty - not knowing who our future president will be - what plans, if any, one can make.

Faced with these complexities I resort to my spirituality and pray that ONE DAY soon, the sun will rise, we will arise and conquer the demons that have infested this beautiful nation.

Varuseve, independent regional consultant.

**********

What hurts me the most is that, while there is all this posturing by the leadership over the election results and men decide what they want or dont want or what they will or will not accept, it is others who suffer. For the majority of women life goes on - the need to put scarce food on the table, the continuous attention and response required by home-based care, and the general disregard for womens concerns in this whole fiasco.

Virginia Muwanigwa, Gender Activist

**********

I cant say Ive celebrated although I knew it was 28 years since we gained Independence There are so many things I am expecting as a woman and a mother of two daughters. I dont see a future for my daughters in terms of their employment, their dreams, their aspirations or them starting a life on their own. Buying anything - a bed, a fridge, a car or even a house is out of their reach.

The state of health care has deteriorated. A lot of health care personnel have left the country. The cost of drugs is high and medical care is expensive and so are the contributions towards medical insurance.

I am looking at inflation and the impact inflation has on my savings. I have no real savings and my pension has been eroded. What affects me is that because of the crisis we are not able to save money to help our parents. Our salaries do not stretch and many people have to supplement the income from their regular jobs. They have to find other ways of earning money and so they dont concentrate 100 percent on their jobs.

I am concerned by the breakdown of families. Many women have to leave their families to make a living in the diaspora. I have a daughter in Manchester and another daughter elsewhere. Family relationships are affected - mothers and their children, spouses and siblings. Distances can make families lose their bonding. We are becoming strangers and that is not natural for us.

What I am saying really is that there is a bleak future for post-Independence children.

Sheila Matindike, Director of YWCA, Woman Activist

**********

It has been a period where many changes in laws that affect women were enabled or amended. But all these gains have not been realised for lack of implementation/political will by authorities. I view this period with both joy and sadness. Joy because we have all the beautiful instruments assented to by the Government but these laws have not really improved the status of women in Zimbabwe.

The 2008 elections have further marginalised women in Zimbabwe, i.e. there are fewer women in Parliament to represent their concerns, and that means no voice for women at that level. Independence should be a total package that will benefit both men and women but the playing field has never been level. This situation will get worse as 2008, unfortunately, could just mark the beginning of further violence against women due to instability in the rural areas where acts of intimidation, rape are being recorded following the unannounced polls. To me 28 years of independence as a woman have rekindled the images of violation of women during the war of liberation. We had healed the wounds, but the wounds have re-opened.

Zimbabwe needs sober women leadership that will restore and heal the pain the populace is feeling. No nation is truly free until the voices of women are heard and recognised.

Ropafadzo Maphimidze, Veteran journalist

***********

What can I say about the struggle for womens rights?

After 28 years of Independence Im thinking that supporting a woman to get into political office should be a given in Zimbabwe. But first I have to ask if she belongs to a party that believes in burning other women on their buttocks if they do not toe a certain party line.

At a personal level it is my daughters witnessing of police beating up people who had become riotous in the sugar queue. Now she thinks that police and soldiers are there to beat up people. I would want her to know that the police are there to help should you get lost or need any other type of help. But can I really tell her in all honesty that the police in Zimbabwe do not beat up people, because despite 28 years of Independence, they do.

Catherine Makoni, Lawyer and gender activist

**********

I can vividly recall the image of Independence that is buried somewhere in my mind - Robert Mugabe the guerilla turned leader, Prince Charles and legendary Bob Marley. It embraced such diversity. I was still in school and quite politically naïve but it moved me when I heard the word reconciliation being hailed. Having been one of the first five non-white girls to attend my particular school, I was moved by the Speech of Independence. I needed to know that things were going to change and we would all be embraced regardless of colour, religion, race, etc. under the flag of red, black, green, yellow and white.

I face great difficulty when I attempt to conjure up that same passion. I have to force myself to remember that there are many changes to celebrate. We have gained entry into places that were once forbidden - particularly as women in our own right. We are in positions of power and prestige. We are a voice to be reckoned with. We have contributed to changes in legislation, health, education, business and even governance.

But then I am disheartened that we still have to deal with the same power dynamics as before in certain spaces. In fact it appals me. Women are being assaulted, raped and tortured. How tragic!!! I really did not want my daughters to grow up witnessing more of the same. I thought we were liberated in 1980.

Reyhana Masters, a believer in justice

Please send in your views

Womens Watch would like to know what other women feel about their position in our society after 28 years of Independence. We would particularly like to hear from women outside Harare. If you have a comment please email: veritas@mango.zw.

Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied.

Liturgy for the World Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe

Ecumenical Centre Chapel Monday April 28th 2008

Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe

A service asking for justice, peace and healing in Zimbabwe

Organised by the WSCF and the World YWCA

Call to prayer
We gather to remember and accompany the people of Zimbabwe, in the name of the blessed Trinity, one God, now and forever.
Amen
O Lord, open my eyes,
that I may see the need of others,
open my ears that I may hear their cries,
open my heart so that they need not be without succour.
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong,
nor afraid to defend the poor,because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
and use me to bring them to these places.
Open my eyes and ears that I may, this coming day,
be able to do some work of peace for you.

Song: Uyai, O vanhu ve se, u yai kuna Mambo Jesu (Come all you people, come to our Lord Jesus)

Confession of sins
God of liberation and justice,
Defender of the poor and marginalized,
we seek your guidance.
Give us the vision and confidence to become prophets when resources are looted.
Let us hear the cry of the widows.
Let us feed the orphans.
Let us denounce injustice by the powerful.
May we demand drugs for the sick.
May we demand care for the abandoned.
May we denounce wastefulness by the affluent.
Forgive our silence.
Forgive our complicity.
In your mercy, forgive our condemnation of people living with HIV.
Forgive us when we deal lightly with the wounds of your people.
Forgive the times when we have offered artificial solutions.
Empower us to tackle corrupt systems,
Make us instruments of your peace.
Make us agents of transformation.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Reassurance of pardon
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily;
(Isaiah 58)
Almighty God who pardons all who truly repent, forgive your sins, strengthen you by the Holy Spirit, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our redeemer.
Amen

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 85

Song: Verses I and 2 of Rakanaka Vhangeri
(Come and hear now the gospel, hear the good news)

Gospel reading: John 14:15-21

Song: Verse 3 of Rakana Vhangeri

Testimony

Intercessions
Sung response: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we. (Your will be done Your will be done O Lord)

We pray for the political situation in Zimbabwe that it may be resolved quickly and peacefully.
We pray that whatever announcement is made in the near future, peace will be restored to the land.
All sing: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we

We pray that calm leadership will prevail, not leadership fuelled by half-truths and propaganda.
We pray that intimidation and violence will cease.
All sing: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we

We pray that in the face of intimidation and violence people will remain firm in the truth of their convictions and will continue to vote their real desires should there be a runoff.
We pray that if there is a runoff, that it will be done in fairness and peace, with international observers who will truly validate the results.
All sing: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we

We pray that the person of God's choice will be brought into the position of authority.
We pray that the church in Zimbabwe
will remain faithful to minister the Gospel in an uncertain atmosphere.
All sing: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we

We pray for wisdom for retaining security and safety for women,
children and men in Zimbabwe.
We pray for the young people used by politicians,
that they may stand up and refused to be used.
All sing: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we

We pray for courage and strength for the people of Zimbabwe
as they face their current challenges.
We pray that the needed change must surely come through God’s own way.
All sing: Kunda Kwenyu Nga ku it we

The Lord’s prayer - said by each in their own language

Hopes for Zimbabwe
We take a moment to write words of hope and courage for Zimbabwean people.

Song: Tenzi werumu komirai nesu zvi no.
(Christ of the resurrection stand by us now, so that at this moment we are made holy by you).

We carry our words to the Zimbabwean cross in the foyer.

Prayer at the cross
The cross is the way of the lost
The cross is the staff of the lame.

The cross is the guide of the blind
The cross is the strength of the weak.

The cross of the hope of the hopeless
The cross is the freedom of the slaves.

The cross is the water of the seeds
The cross is the consolation of the bonded labourers.

The cross is the source of those who seek water
The cross is the cloth of the naked.

The cross is the healing of the broken
The cross is the peace of the church.


We place our words of courage and hope for the people of Zimbabwe at the foot of the cross.

Blessing
Now go out into the world to sow seeds of peace with justice,
And may:
The God of overflowing creative energy
The Jesus of vast compassion
The Holy Spirit who turns chaos to life enhancing wholesomeness
Be with you as you go.
Amen.

Sources
Call to Prayer pp. 148-49 Shona prayer,“The Prayers of African Religion
Uyai, O vanhu ve se p 113 WCC sixth assembly worship book
Confession of sins Dr. Ezra Chitando
Reassurance of Pardon p 38 A New Zealand Prayer Book
Rakana Vhabngeri No 76 Agape
Kunda Kwenyu p 67 Worshipping Ecumenically
Intercessions YWCA
Tenzi werumu P 124 WCC sixth assembly worship book
Prayer at the cross Tenth century African hymn
Blessing YWCA

Prayers of lamentation for Zimbabwe

The following service is a simple service based on Bible verses, simple prayers and times of silence. It works well for midday as the service lasts approximately 15 minutes. A short sung response is included, this is from the ecumenical hymbook Thuma Mina but a Taizé chant could work equally well. Of course these prayers can be adapted for use in other situations, these were originally put together for midday prayers for peace during the war in the Lebannon in 2006.

Prayers of Lamentation for peace, justice and reconciliation in Zimbabwe

Silence

How lonely sits the citythat once was full of people!How like a widow she has become,she that was great among the nations!She that was a princess among the provinceshas become a vassal. (Lamentations 1.1)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Blessed is our God now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more. (Jer 31:15)

Even when I cry out, "Violence!' I am not answered;
I call aloud, but there is no justice. (Job 19:7)

Silence

For these things I weep;my eyes flow with tears;for a comforter is far from me,one to revive my courage;my children are desolate,for the enemy has prevailed. (Lamentations 1.16)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence. Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long. (Ps 74:18-22)

Remember this, O Lord,
Remember this, O Lord

Silence

My eyes are spent with weeping;my stomach churns;my bile is poured out on the groundbecause of the destruction of my people,because infants and babes faintin the streets of the city. (Lamentations 2.11)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Remember this, O Lord,
Remember this, O Lord.

Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame.
Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame.

Rise up, O God.
Rise up, O God.

Silence

They cry to their mothers,‘Where is bread and wine?’as they faint like the woundedin the streets of the city,as their life is poured outon their mothers’ bosom. (Lamentations 2.12)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Prayers for the enemy (from the Eastern Orthodox tradition)
O Christ, Our God, who prayed for those who crucified You, and asked us, your servants, to pray for our enemies; forgive those who hate and oppress us and, through Your Grace and love for humanity, change their lives from doing wrong and wickedness to love for their neighbors and life filled with goodness. That none of them may perish because of us but rather they and us together be saved through penitence; we pray You, Lord, hear us and have mercy.

Silence or time for free prayer…

We are longing for the day, when the prophecy of Micah will come true, when "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Affirmation
The cross is the way of the lost.
The cross is the staff of the lame.

The cross is the guide of the blind.
The cross is the strength of the weak.

The cross is the hope of the hopeless.
The cross is the freedom of the slaves.

The cross is the water of the seeds.
The cross is the consolation of the bonded labourers.

The cross is the source of those who seek water.
The cross is the cloth of the naked.

The cross is the healing of the broken.
The cross is the peace of the church.
(St. Yared, Ethiopia)

You are invited to leave the chapel in silence