CLOSED: Zimbabwe: Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

Since February 2003, members of women’s rights organisation WOZA have been repeatedly arrested while taking part in peaceful demonstration against the social, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

Arrests and beatings of members continued throughout 2009. They have been subjected to intimidation, harassment, and ill-treatment by police officers. Many of those arrested have later been released without charge, but some have been charged under repressive legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Miscellaneous Offences Act (MOA). Women with babies, children and a heavily pregnant woman have been among those arrested.

UPDATE: 14 MARCH 2011
Between 28 February and 4 March 2011 in several separate incidents WOZA members were arrested in Bulawayo in what the organisation views as a crackdown by security forces. Some members detained at Bulawayo police station were not provided with food, blankets or access to medication and were denied access to their lawyer. Seven members who were detained for 2 nights were reportedly tortured.

Watch a video of WOZA's Valentine's Day demonstration in Bulawayo

UPDATE: 18 JANUARY 2011
All restrictions have now been lifted on the activists that were arrested in September last year. A court ruled that the activists will not have to be brought back for any further hearings.

UPDATE: 21 SEPTEMBER 2010
We have called on the authorities in Zimbabwe to release 83 members of WOZA and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA). The activists were arrested in Harare on 20 September during a peaceful demonstration to highlight concerns around community safety and police behaviour. Find out more

UPDATE: 23 NOVEMBER 2009
President Obama has presented the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award to Magadonga Mahlangu and WOZA in a ceremony at the White House.

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



 

Background information

We are deeply concerned by the repression of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe. The government, in an effort to conceal human rights violations and prevent public protest and criticism of its policies, has become increasingly intolerant of the work of human rights defenders and is actively seeking to silence them. The repression of human rights defenders takes many forms. In recent years the government has used the law to violate defenders' rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Some have been subjected to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. Human rights organizations are also subject to intrusive and unwarranted state surveillance of their operations.

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 seven years we have 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

Since February 2003, members of women’s rights organisation WOZA have been repeatedly arrested while taking part in peaceful demonstration against the social, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

Arrests and beatings of members continued throughout 2009. They have been subjected to intimidation, harassment, and ill-treatment by police officers. Many of those arrested have later been released without charge, but some have been charged under repressive legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Miscellaneous Offences Act (MOA). Women with babies, children and a heavily pregnant woman have been among those arrested.

UPDATE: 14 MARCH 2011
Between 28 February and 4 March 2011 in several separate incidents WOZA members were arrested in Bulawayo in what the organisation views as a crackdown by security forces. Some members detained at Bulawayo police station were not provided with food, blankets or access to medication and were denied access to their lawyer. Seven members who were detained for 2 nights were reportedly tortured.

Watch a video of WOZA's Valentine's Day demonstration in Bulawayo

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