Representatives from the YWCA of Zimbabwe, The Girl Child Network (GCN), and Student Christian Movement Zimbabwe (SCMZ) were panellists at the event. Michael Wardlow, CEO of Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and member of the World Alliance of YMCAs, was also a member of the panel. Armed police raided the Zimbabwe office of SCMZ and Christian Alliance on June 9. The panellist from SCMZ and six other people were detained in police custody and was unable to attend the discussion.

The panellists shared the reality of the current situation in rural Zimbabwe where many women and children have left their homes to hide with relatives or in the bushes for fear of being tortured to disclose the whereabouts of their husbands, brothers or sons. People have been beaten, some killed and houses burnt. Women and children are rendered homeless, with nothing to eat or wear.

The YWCA representative recounted how excited she was when she was selected to be an election observer. She did not mind cycling 18 km to and from the local school where the polling station was and expressed how the voter training helped her gain insight into the electoral process. Her participation also encouraged other women in the community to vote.

‘The knowledge I gained as an observer was very useful to me because I was able to conduct voter education for women in my community but the delay in releasing the results created tension among the people and polling officials started receiving threats’ she said.

After the announcement of the run-off date, there has been continued displacement of people due to violent attacks and threats to those perceived to be in support of the opposition party. In a weekly report compiled by the United Nations office of the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Zimbabwe, the period from May 26 – June 1 has recorded the displacement of over 33,425 people and over 2,900 victims of violence seeking medical assistance at one clinic.

‘We have reports of the violation of all human rights. Some women have been subjected to sexual abuse. Many children have stopped going to school for fear of attacks. They are thereby denied their right to education,’ said the panellist from GCN.

Since the outbreak of post – election violence, young people have been forced to become both victims and perpetrators of violence. With the unemployment rate at over 80%, young people unable to gain employment have become easy prey for politicians who lure them to carry out violent attacks.

‘Many are afraid; many have lost hope and confidence. Young people in Zimbabwe need to be encouraged to believe ‘yes they can’, they also need to be empowered to take their rightful place in the peace building process and post run-off decision making,’ said the panellist from SCMZ, represented by Marlon Zakeyo, Southern African Human Rights Officer WSCF office in Geneva. He shared that authorities in Zimbabwe heavily censor the media and this has created a huge information gap among the people. Zimbabweans rely on the international community to tell the true story to the rest of the world and help revive hope in the hearts of young people in Zimbabwe.

‘We must stand up to protect our families, our grandmother’s granaries and be able to refuse to obey unlawful and unconstitutional orders and stand for the rule of law, for human rights and to protect the interest of our country first,’ said the SCMC representative.

Wardlow shared his personal experience of living with conflict in Northern Ireland and expressed the need for individuals and communities to learn from events of the past to guard against reoccurrences in the future. He reiterated the importance of civil, youth and faith based organisations to actively participate in peace building process and reconciliation.

‘We need to create safe spaces where people can exchange their life histories, where people can learn about the other person, where people learn how to engage with other people and where you look inward to yourself and your prejudices,’ Wardlow concluded.

The World YWCA organised the event in partnership with:

• World Students Christian Federation (WSCF)
• Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
• Girl Child Network (GNC)
• World Alliance of YMCAs
• Women International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
• Ferme Africa Solidarite (FAS)
• International Commission of Jurists
• World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC)

The World YWCA continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and advocates for an urgent and peaceful solution to the situation.

Related Links:

• YWCA of Zimbabwe targeted by youth militia as crisis deepens

• 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