Members of WOZA © AP
Jenni Williams, founder and activist in the human rights organization Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) faces trial next week for her role in a protest on October 16, 2008. Jenni was arrested and detained for “disturbing the peace” even though the protest was a peaceful demonstration demanding that the government provide necessary food aid. Police used excessive force to break up the peaceful protest of over 200 people, and Jenni was arbitrarily arrested with Magodonga Mahlangu, another WOZA activist. After being granted bail and released on November 6, 2008, Jenni’s trial has been postponed three times, leaving her in a legal limbo for months. On Thursday, she goes to trial to determine whether she will be imprisoned again–a pattern for human rights defenders in Zimbabwe as the government tries to silence opposition to its authority. Support Jenni Williams and the WOZA activists in their fight for human rights in Zimbabwe!
Right now the World is more focused on the Mugabe Birthday Celebration and the Land Seizures. This is a symptom of the underreported issue. We in the West Rarely hear about how the Women of Zimbabwe have been treated for doing routine things such as asking for food
It seems that despite this New Government that some of the old issues refuse to go away anytime soon.
Right now the World is more focused on the Mugabe Birthday Celebration and the Land Seizures. This is a symptom of the underreported issue. We in the West Rarely hear about how the Women of Zimbabwe have been treated for doing routine things such as asking for food
It seems that despite this New Government that some of the old issues refuse to go away anytime soon.