More than 100 women and at least 40 children are taking refuge at the YWCA of Harare as violence and intimidation increases in Zimbabwe. “A young widow arrived here after spending ten days hiding in the bush with her baby, ” a YWCA representative reports. “Her house was torched.”
Results of the March 29 presidential election in Zimbabwe were recently announced after a month-long delay. The results give opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai 47.9%, ahead of President Robert Mugabe's 42.3%. With neither candidate gaining the required 50% to take office, a run-off is scheduled. However, the political crisis is far from resolved.
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Tsvangirai ‘s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says the government delayed announcing the results so it could carry out a campaign of violence against opposition supporters ahead of a run-off. A statement released in April by church leaders in Zimbabwe warns of “organised violence”, particularly in the countryside and in some high density urban areas, perpetrated against individuals, families and communities accused of campaigning or voting for the “wrong” political party in the March 29 elections. Recent reports from Zimbabwe have stated that 3,000 families have been displaced and at least 800 homes burned down. More than 20 opposition activists have died from injuries sustained in such attacks, which have recently escalated to shootings.
Women and children are particularly vulnerable during fragile political situations and women in Zimbabwe are already bearing the brunt of violence and unrest. “A large group of women arrived in Harare at 3 am. They walked and took buses all the way from Mashondaland Central – its not safe for them there,” explains the YWCA representative. With food and basic commodities already in short supply, the YWCA of Zimbabwe has little to offer the women but a safe place to wait-out the unrest. At least 47 of the displaced women are mothers with children, while some women had to leave their children behind.
The World YWCA calls on member associations and partners to respond to the situation in Zimbabwe with urgency in the following ways:
- Support and donate ongoing humanitarian efforts
- Say ‘No’ to violence especially abuse of women and girls
- Advocate for an urgent and peaceful solution to the political crisis that includes women’s perspectives and voices in the peace building process
- Dedicate a prayer session to Zimbabwe
Support and donate ongoing humanitarian efforts
The World YWCA is raising funds and advocating for a humanitarian response that is sensitive to women’s sexual and reproductive needs and services such as:
- rape crisis facilities
- counsellors
- AIDS prevention drugs
- sanitary towels
Make a donation today to support these humanitarian efforts. Your contribution can help humanitarian efforts at the YWCA of Zimbabwe hostels or support volunteers working at one of the local branches.
Say ‘No’ to violence especially abuse of women and girls
Zimbabwean women and men are experiencing political violence with systematic targeting of political party activists. This retribution deters women from seeking public office, and undermines the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Women and girls are experiencing sexual abuse, intimidation, loss of livelihoods and shelter. Say NO, to violence today through the following actions:
- contribute to YWCA counselling programmes for survivors of violence
- call on the Zimbabwe government to stop the violence and restore law and order
- call on the UN and other bodies to strongly support an end to violence in Zimbabwe
Advocate for an urgent and peaceful solution to the political crisis that includes women’s perspectives and voices in the peace building process
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security and the African Union Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality calls for the inclusion of women in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building. The World YWCA is advocating for inclusion of women in all mediation teams and is monitoring women’s participation in the political crisis.
Through the Zimbabwe Council of Churches; 99 YWCA women members observed the elections.
- Write or call the Zimbabwe Elections Commission to create a conducive environment for domestic observation of elections.
- Write or Call the SADC, African Union and UN to include women in the on-going mediation efforts.
- Make a donation and support YWCA Zimbabwe to observe the planned Presidential run-off.
Dedicate a prayer session to Zimbabwe
If you pray, consider holding a prayer session dedicated to the crisis in Zimbabwe.
Donate today:
UBS SA
Rue des Noirettes 35
CP 2600
CH-1211 Geneva
Swift Code: UBSWCHZH12A
Account numbers:
279-C0797187.0 (CHF)
279-C0797187.1 (USD)
279-C0797187.2 (Euro)
IBAN Numbers:
CH45 0027 9279 C0797187.0 (CHF)
CH18 0027 9279 C0797187.1 (USD)
CH88 0027 9279 C0797187.2 (EUR)
Make payment in the name of:
World YWCA
16 Ancienne Route, CH-1218 Grand Saconnex
Geneva, Switzerland
Please indicate: Zimbabwe Crisis
For credit card donation contact:
Finance Department, World YWCA
Tel: +41 22 929 6041
Fax: +41 22 929 6044
Email: worldoffice@worldywca.org
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