Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) - Zimbabwe

Women human rights activists face repression

Since February 2003, members of the women’s rights organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have been arrested repeatedly for peacefully demonstrating against the worsening social, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. They were among the targets when the government cracked down on civil society and opposition activists after the first round of presidential elections in March 2008, and throughout 2009 there have been more than 30 arrests of WOZA activists, with many facing trial for disturbing the peace.

WOZA members continue to show great resilience and bravery in adversity.

Jenni Williams, national coordinator of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), gives an audio interview about the struggle for human rights in Zimbabwe.

Background information

WOZA was formed in 2003 to provide women with a united voice, encourage them to stand up for their rights and freedoms, and to empower female leadership in the community. WOZA estimates its countrywide membership to be more than 70,000 women and men.

In the past six years Amnesty International has documented numerous incidents in which members of WOZA have been arrested, harassed and severely beaten in police custody for exercising their right to peaceful protest. They have repeatedly been denied access to food, lawyers and medical care while in detention.

WOZA members have also been affected by the discriminatory distribution of maize in rural areas. Over the last eight years, ZANU-PF politicians have used government subsidised maize as a tool to silence perceived opponents. WOZA members have been excluded from buying the maize because they have spoken out about against discrimination and other human rights violations in their communities.

Read the latest news from WOZA on their website www.wozazimbabwe.org

Women human rights activists face repression

Since February 2003, members of the women’s rights organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have been arrested repeatedly for peacefully demonstrating against the worsening social, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. They were among the targets when the government cracked down on civil society and opposition activists after the first round of presidential elections in March 2008, and throughout 2009 there have been more than 30 arrests of WOZA activists, with many facing trial for disturbing the peace.

WOZA members continue to show great resilience and bravery in adversity.

Jenni Williams, national coordinator of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), gives an audio interview about the struggle for human rights in Zimbabwe.

Call on the Zimbabwean authorities to respect the right of WOZA members to exercise their constitutionally and internationally agreed rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly without fear of harassment.