The Musasa Project
The high incidence of violence against women in Zimbabwe stems from discriminatory social and cultural attitudes toward women, which the Musasa project addresses on a number of different levels.
Musasa is working to introduce domestic violence education programmes in primary and secondary schools and universities.�� The programmes aim to teach children and young people 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. After two years of delays by the government, Musasa have finally been granted permission to begin training in schools and nurseries.
Musasa also provides counselling services to approximately 5,500 domestic violence survivors each year. In order to provide holistic support services to their clients, Musasa has developed close working relationships with the police, judiciary, health care workers, and local communities.
The 2006 Domestic Violence Act, which accords greater protection to victims of domestic violence, has been a significant step forward for organisations working with violence against women in Zimbabwe.�� Musasa is working closely with other women?s organisations in Zimbabwe, including 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 death of a husband.�� 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, and as such, are often barred from inheriting property and land, or gaining custody of children. In Zimbabwe, where one in four adults is suffering from HIV and AIDS, high death rates and acute poverty can mean 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 could otherwise not support themselves through complex litigation cases. Through these services, ZWLA ensures that if a husband dies, property and assets go to the wife and children left behind and not to brothers, uncles or wider family members who may claim a share.
ZWLA?s empowerment sessions for women experiencing legal injustices help to prepare women who are taking 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 officials within the Zimbabwean legal system. For example, ZWLA trains magistrates, with the aim of improving women?s treatment in court, and raising awareness about international treaties that protect the human rights of women. The same magistrate told WOMANKIND: 'Slowly men are realising the importance of women?s rights also.' As a result of ZWLA?s work, our partners are reporting much higher rates of women successfully representing themselves in court, as well as much-improved gender-sensitivity from court officials.
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.
While women?s participation has increased, 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 that the impact on women of all bills coming before the Parliament have first been discussed, and allows women MPs to raise concerns and suggest amendments with one voice.
WiPSU also aims to facilitate the increased interaction between women MPs and their female constituents so that they are better informed on the issues that affect them. The 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. In an attempt to improve the quality of women's participation and to ensure the credibility of women in political positions, WiPSU is looking at introducing a strategy of interviewing potential candidates for the participation programme, in order to ensure their genuine commitment to women?s needs, concerns and aspirations.
