Women of Zimbabwe speak out
Article published: Tuesday, January 13th 2009
Declaring a health emergency is not enough, argue Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). They intervene with tough love as the outbreak of cholera brings Zimbabwe back to the attention of the world. Jenny Nelson reports.
Back in August 2008, when the first cases of cholera were being reported, WOZA undertook research into the living standards of their members.
Their recent report reveals a shocking 96 per cent of those surveyed lacked access to clean water.
On top of this, 20 per cent reported cholera or some other form of diarrhoea infection had affected their families during sewer bursts. Despite massive failures in provision of clean water and functioning sewerage, residents continue to be billed for sanitation services.
At the beginning of December the UN reported nearly 14,000 confirmed cases of cholera in Zimbabwe. At the same time, aid agencies predicted that thousands of deaths will be undocumented due to the lack of a fully-functioning health service.
WOZA describe Zimbabwes situation as a complex emergency. Their report on the cholera crisis demonstrates that a key factor in creating a perfect environment for the breeding and spread of the cholera bacterium has been the neglect of essential services by the ZANU PF government.
Activists lay the blame squarely at the feet of the political leaders of Zimbabwe. ZANU PF rule (led by Robert Mugabe) has brought a decline in basic standards of living for many years now; but in the months while Mugabe has clung to power in the face of rejection by the people at the polls in March this year, the downward spiral has changed into a precipitous plunge.
Woza’s mission statement argues that the leaders in Zimbabwe need some discipline; so who better to dish it out than mothers! They formed in 2003 in disgust at their failing government and now have a countrywide membership of over 35,000 women and men. Advocating non-violence and the empowerment of women, they have conducted over 50 protests and 2,500 women have spent time in police custody as a result.
Recent weeks have seen the deaths of two of their leaders; Julia Chipeyama died from cholera and Thembelani Lunga was HIV positive and constantly had problems accessing a regular supply of antiretroviral drugs. Crucially she was denied these during a four-day incarceration at Bulawayo Central Police Station in August 2008.
These deaths are particularly pertinent as the latest message to the world from WOZA is that yes, cholera is sweeping the nation, but don’t forget the ongoing daily struggles to find water, to deal with sewage and garbage, to buy sufficient food, and to handle illness when it strikes.
This message comes in the build up to their annual mass demonstration called Bread and Roses which takes place every Valentines Day. The demonstration call-out states that the power of love can conquer the love of power.
Tough love is WOZA’s secret method of mass mobilisation. Their activists describe their drive as the disciplining love of a parent, the tool of people power to push for social justice.
They are calling for regional leaders and the African Union to defend the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe, while asking the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to resuscitate the water and sewage reticulation systems via direct work with local councils.
And finally, WOZA continue to call on the women of Zimbabwe to arise!
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