Zimbabwe Women in Politics and Peacebuilding

Submitted by admin on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 14:17
In October 2019 Hon Helen Clark was guest of Honour at the University of Zimbabwe at the FairGo4Kids launch of the Boy Child Project in the UZ Peace, Society, Security Department, to partner the Midlands State University Gender Institute’s proposed Girl Child project in the Resuscitation of the Association of Women’s Clubs Development Model to strengthen grassroots communities in today’s difficult environment which is dominant around the world.

Photo: In October 2019 Hon Helen Clark was guest of Honour at the University of Zimbabwe at the FairGo4Kids launch of the Boy Child Project in the UZ Peace, Society, Security Department, to partner the Midlands State University Gender Institute’s proposed Girl Child project in the Resuscitation of the Association of Women’s Clubs Development Model to strengthen grassroots communities in today’s difficult environment which is dominant around the world.

In 2000, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 affirmed that peace and security efforts are sustainable when women are equal partners. It highlighted the Three Ps to ensure women are equal participants in the forging of lasting peace during Peace negotiations:

Participation of women in all peace processes.

Protection of women in all political spaces.

Prevention of violence against women.

Zimbabwe Women in Politics and Peacebuilding (ZimWiPaP) is designed in this framework because most women torture survivors in modern Zimbabwe politics are women connected to men in politics. And political violence is inflicted on women in politics equally as on men in politics. The late Mrs Margaret Samuriwo, ZimWiPaP Director, completed two concept papers aimed at addressing the historical origins of politically organised torture, rape, abductions and murder of women which now affect all Zimbabweans. She worked to establish the National Women’s Museum for Healing and the National Women’s Community Radio for Healing to connect women across all divides.

ZimPI's focus is on the need for a transparent gender component in all ministries and government programs.

ZimWiPaP policies and programs aim to empower women torture survivors in politics and also women survivors of all forms of violence today.

Violence is an ugly and growing phenomenon that permeates the whole of Zimbabwean society. ZimWiPaP adopted UNSCR 1325 and its additions to address the local circumstances of political violence, from the historical hanging of Mbuya (Grandmother) Nyakasikana Nehanda, by the Pioneer Column in April 1898. She was the Spirit Medium, inspiration and guide to the ZANLA Freedom Fighters throughout the Liberation war.

Mrs Samuriwo workshop
The late Mrs Margaret Samuriwo preparing the ZimPI Network Team, MSU and UZ partners on the ZimPI Network Team Theme: Decade 2020-2029 ZPIP: Formalisation: Formalise Now! This was launched at Meikles Hotel hosted by Imba Mukadzi/ Umuzi nguMama 4 Dec 2020 /sponsored by ZimPI.
Mrs Samuwiro ZimWIPAP
The Late Mrs Margaret Samuriwo Founder/Director: Zimbabwe Women in Politics and Peacebuilding (ZimWiPaP) facilitating a workshop on Decade 2020-30 Projects and how Formalisation will be conducted in each sector. That October 2019 event was the launch at the University of Zimbabwe of the Boy Child Project with Hon Helen Clark as the Guest of Honour. When Mrs Samuriwo passed away in June 2021 she had completed all the concept papers on the National Women’s Museum for Healing to be located at MSU and at the 3rd Millennium Trust, Masese Holdings, Woodville Park, Bulawayo.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farewell for Helen Clark and her delegation
ZimPI Farewell for Hon Helen Clark and her delegation at Bronte Hotel. From left: the late Mrs Margaret Samuriwo; Founder Chairperson, Zimbabwe Women in Politics and Peacebuilding (ZimWiPaP); Mr Sibangilizwe Nkomo, Patron, Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Trust next to Sen Sekai Holland, Ambassador Chipo Zindoga next to Hon Helen Clark and Dr Phillip Bhebe, 3rd Millennium Foundation/ ZimPI Network Team member, Bulawayo.