The statement was presented at the human rights session on violence against women, which had in attendance the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, representatives of some member states and civil society organisations. The statement called immediate attention of the Council to address the use of women and girls as weapons of war, ensure protection of women’s human rights and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people and rural communities in Zimbabwe as a matter of urgency.

‘Security and protection of women and girl’s human rights is a corner stone in achieving peace and true democracy’ says Yinda.

In continuance of its work on Zimbabwe, World YWCA in partnership with the World Christian Students Federation (WSCF) and World Alliance of YMCAs will host a side event at the HRC on ‘The Role of Women and Young People in Building a Culture of Human Rights in Post-Election Situations: Focus on Zimbabwe’ on June 12.

Signatories to the statement include:

• Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
• World YWCA
• ATHENA
• Girl Child Network (GCN)
• Rozaria Memorial Trust
• Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS)
• Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
• EEPA, Brussels
• General Arab Women’s Federation
• International Coalition of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, East African Regional Office
• African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)
• International Women’s Tribune Centre (IWTC)
• Religions for Peace
• World Student Christian Federation (WSCF)
• YWCA of Liberia
• Oranje Consult
• World Student Christian Federation (WSCF)
• Africa Public Health Alliance
• Equatoria Literacy Program for Women and Children, Juba, South Sudan
• Global Zimbabwe Forum
• UN Watch
• Women's World Summit Foundation
• Health Systems Trust
• Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas
• Worldwide Organization of Women
• 3HO Foundation
• Women in Black Network -- Serbia
• PEACEWORKERS, San Francisco
• Zimbabwe Solidarity Campaign (Belfast)
• ACDI-CIDA
• IANSA Women's Network
• Aim For Human Rights
• Lwelaphanda Business Intelligence (LBI)
• Kenya Human Rights Commission

Link our related stories:

• Women and young people have role to play in building a peaceful Zimbabwe
• World YWCA to urge Human Rights Council to Help End Political Violence Against Women and Girls in Zimbwabwe
• ActionAlert: Growing Violence in Zimbabwe Threatens Security of Women and Girls