The Musasa Project
The high incidence of violence against women in Zimbabwe
stems from discriminatory social and cultural attitudes toward women —
the Musasa project addresses these on several levels.
Musasa helps introduce domestic-violence education programmes in primary
and secondary schools, and universities. Children and young people
are taught to respect their bodies and each other, and to understand and
assert their sexual and reproductive health rights. Young people are given
the confidence to say 'no' and to insist on safe sex.
One of the most successful initiatives
has been a peer-educator programme, in which students learn about all aspects
of domestic violence and are then trained to provide assistance and basic
counselling to fellow students.
Musasa also provides counselling services to around 5,500 domestic violence
survivors a year. To ensure maximum impact, Musasa has developed close working
relationships with the police, judiciary, healthcare workers, and local
communities.
The 2007 Domestic Violence Act, which gives greater protection to victims
of domestic violence, has been a significant step forward. Musasa
works closely with other women's organisations in Zimbabwe, including the
Zimbabwe Women's Lawyers Association (ZWLA), to push for proper implementation.
The Director has been appointed to the national Domestic Violence Committee.
Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA)
Zimbabwe has a dual legal system, recognising both common and customary
law. This creates inequalities for many women upon divorce or their
husband's death. Women in customary marriages, which make up approximately
80% of marriages in Zimbabwe, are not entitled to the same rights as those
married under common law, so are often barred from inheriting property and
land, or getting custody of their children.
In Zimbabwe, where one in four
adults is suffering from HIV and AIDS, high death rates and acute poverty
lead to fierce legal battles over inheritance of land, homes and other marital
property. ZWLA provides free legal advice, information, and court-preparation
sessions for women who, otherwise, could never launch such complex litigation.
ZWLA works to ensure that if a husband dies, the property and assets go
to the wife and children left behind — not to brothers, uncles or
more distant relatives who make a claim.
ZWLA's 'empowerment sessions' for women experiencing legal injustices help
to prepare women to take their case to court. The sessions build their understanding
of what to expect, as well as their skills and confidence to articulate
their case. As a Harare magistrate told WOMANKIND recently, 'ZWLA's empowerment
sessions are helping women become ambassadors for themselves'.
ZWLA also provides 'gender-sensitisation' training to legal officials. In
practice this means, for example, that ZWLA trains magistrates to treat
women more fairly in court — and make them aware of the various international
treaties that protect women's human rights. The same magistrate told WOMANKIND:
'Slowly, men are realising the importance of women's rights.' As a result
of ZWLA's work, far more women are successfully representing themselves
in court — and officials are treating women in the courts with far
more respect.
Read how Ellen is supporting abused women
in her community >>>>
Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU)
This organisation helps women to campaign for local government and parliamentary
office. WiPSU's interventions have led to a significant increase in
the representation of women in local and parliamentary government, with
the number of female MPs rising from 16 to 26 (out of a total of 150) in
the March 2005 elections.
In 2008, 57 women were elected to Parliament. Although only a slight increase, it was a great achievement, given the violence enveloping the elections. Violence discourages women’s participation both as voters and as candidates.
WiPSU has embarked on a '50-50
Campaign' — lobbying political parties and government to implement
policies that will increase women’s representation in Parliament and local
government to at least 50% by 2015. This is the target adopted by most countries
in southern Africa.
While women's participation is
increasing, tensions between ruling and opposition parties remain high.
WiPSU is working with the Parliamentary Women's Caucus, where female members
of both parties discuss non-partisan issues that affect women. This has
led to consensus on many key issues, and initiated a critical dialogue between
the parties. The Caucus ensures there is discussion of the the likely impact
on women of all bills coming before Parliament — and allows
women MPs to raise concerns and suggest amendments with one voice.
WiPSU is increasing interaction between women MPs and their female constituents
so that they are really aware of the main issues. Women's Constituency Consultative
Forums support 50 women to work hand in hand with their MP to set a development
agenda for their constituency. Members meet twice a month to discuss bills,
laws and key development concerns for the community. And, to to improve
the quality of women's participation and ensure the credibility of women
in political positions, WiPSU now interviews potential candidates for the
participation programme, to ensure they are genuinely committed to women's
needs and aspirations.
