“ We have released this statement as we are concerned for the safety of women and girls in Zimbabwe. It has been sent to two Ministries, the Human Rights Ambassador, the Human Rights Commission and is part of our YWCA of Netherlands communications work,” says World YWCA Board Member and YWCA of Netherlands President Geeske Zanen.

Read Full Statement here

Now the African Union didn't reject the second round of elections and the presidency of Mugabe in Zimbabwe in an official way, we call upon the responsibility of the Dutch government. The Netherlands as part of the European Union and member of the United Nations has the responsibility to advocate and exert its strength for democratic and legitimate governments in every country of the world.

YWCA of the Netherlands, member of the international women's movement World YWCA, calls upon the Dutch government to do everything within its ability to stop the growing violence in Zimbabwe. The fact that the opposition leader Tsvangarai left the Dutch Embassy is not a sign of the decrease of violence.

The order from Zimbabwe's Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to suspend the field operations of all non-governmental and private voluntary organizations (NGOs and PVOs) has resulted in the total absence of local service provision to millions of Zimbabweans, leaving women and girls in particular at risk of gross sexual warfare, abuse and violence.

To give one example of many: Around 120 displaced women and children seeking shelter at the hostels of YWCA Zimbabwe were targets of a youth militia group. This group is picked up by the police and taken to an unknown destination. Despite attempts to intervene by YWCA of Zimbabwe, 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.

YWCA of the Netherlands implores the Dutch Government to:

• Reject the second round of elections in Zimbabwe and the presidency of Mugabe and to advocate and exert its strength for the rejection by de United States and the European Union on this matter and to monitor democratic elections in Zimbabwe.

• Condemn the shutdown of NGOs and PVOs in Zimbabwe and to advocate and exert its strength for the rejection by de United States and the European Union on this matter.

• Take responsibility to guarantee the protection of women and girls in Zimbabwe and to advocate and exert its strength for the rejection by de United States and the European Union on this matter.