The South African Development Community (SADC) and UNICEF teams were contacted after the women and children were picked up by a police bus and taken to an unknown destination. Despite attempts to intervene, the police bus had already left the YWCA of Zimbabwe and the women and children were found the next day at a bus terminal in Bindura; 70 kilometres outside Harare with their blankets taken away.

This incident was shared with other ecumenical organisations at a tray lunch on June 25 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss advocacy and solidarity possibilities in the aftermath of the March 29 Zimbabwe elections.

Chaired by World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, those in attendance also heard from Prosper Munatsi, General Secretary of the Student Christian Federation of Zimbabwe (SCFZ); who was arrested on June 9 after a raid on the offices of the SCMZ. Munatsi was detained with other work colleagues and then released without charge but the incident meant he could not take participate as a panellist in a side event at the Human Rights Council organised by the WSCF, World Alliance of YMCA’s and the World YWCA on June 12.

“The crisis is getting deeper. People don’t have the freedom of prayer. They don’t have the freedom of religion. They don’t have freedom”, explained Munatsi.

As Munatsi reflected on his time in police detention, he painted a frightening picture of the current situation facing women and children in rural areas of Zimbabwe. “ The repression has increased and violence is on the rise. Houses have been burnt down, livestock taken away and food stocks burnt. Schools have been closed and the children have no access to education. There is no medication. There is no water. There is no electricity. Rural women and children are suffering the most. Women in labour are being told to bring their own water and razor blades to the hospital.”

Munatsi who has been a student activist for a number of years also informed the audience of university students thrown out of their Harare accommodation so youth militia from rural areas can take their beds instead. “ People are being beaten every day. There is no rhetoric with the Zimbabwean forces. They do as they please,” said Munatsi.

The varied ecumenical organisations in attendance agreed concrete actions need to be taken to protect people and organisations providing services to those in need. “It’s risky to have displaced people in your shelter. We have to protect people providing services as they are equally vulnerable’, said Gumbonzvanda.

As the humanitarian effort in Zimbabwe has become paralysed due to the political crisis, participants also discussed the need for faith-based organisations; civil society and youth to be at decision-making tables to ensure their voices are heard. Gumbonzvanda stressed to the group the need to move from condemnation of the situation in Zimbabwe to action that will help Zimbabweans on the ground."As the world keenly follows the situation in Zimbabwe, we call on the YWCA movement and our partners to affirm the important role women play in the prevention and resolution of conflict as stated in the Africa Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, CEDAW and United Nations Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security," says Gumbonzvanda, "Zimbabwean women must continue to effectively contribute to the critical decisions that define the future and recovery of their nation."

Related Links

• 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