Where are the women? asks World YWCA as political talks take place in Zimbabwe
“Negotiations are taking place in Zimbabwe, but it’s men talking about issues affecting women. Where are the women at the decision making table ? ” asked Dr Helene Yinda, Programme Director for Africa and the Middle East at a tray lunch on Zimbabwe at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, July 24.
As ecumenical organisations gathered at the session chaired by Yinda, the group reflected on the current political talks being held by Zimbabwe's opposition MDC and President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party.
“Women are frustrated. There are no women in the negotiation teams. It is important at this time we are in solidarity with the women and girls of Zimbabwe’, said Yinda.
Arnold Tsunga, Africa Programme Director for the International Commission of Jurists attended the discussion and confirmed fears that torture and violence in Zimbabwe had not stopped. ‘ I have recently come back from Zimbabwe where I visited a hospital. I met a young woman who had been raped by 32 militia. She is unable to identify the perpetrators as she has suffered such severe trauma from the experience,’ said Tsunga.
Related Links
- YWCA of Zimbabwe asks President Mugabe to remember women and girls as talks begin
- World YWCA and WSCF mark Zimbabwe 'elections' with a peace vigil outside United Nations
- YWCA of Zimbabwe targeted by youth militia as crisis deepens
- Zimbabweans share grim reality at Human Rights Council
- Churches worldwide asked to pray for Zimbabwe
- Its an Emergency: Stop the Violence and Protect Women and Girls Now
- Women and Girls Live with Intimidation as Zimbabwe Teeters on the Edge
