VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Empower a Woman, Empower a Nation! (RAU, June 2012), outlines women’s perceptions of the upcoming elections and their preparedness given their experiences in the last election. It details issues of political violence as well as cultural and social barriers for women’s political participation.

Politically Motivated Violence in Zimbabwe 2000-2010 (RAU, August 2011), gives an overview of the terror and intimidation tactics employed by ZANU PF supporters in the highly polarised political environment in Zimbabwe in the past decade.

Women and Political Violence: An Update (RAU, July 2011), provides an analysis of the physical, verbal and psychological violence against women in Zimbabwe from September 2010 to July 2011 seen in the perspective of feminist analysis and post colonial theory of gender issues in Africa.

‘Forced Concubinage’ in Zimbabwe (RAU, April 2011) takes us through Zimbabwe’s history of using forced concubinage during the liberation struggle to the more recent abuse of girls in youth militia training camps and Zimbabwe’s role in international trafficking of girls and women.

Politically Motivated Rape in Zimbabwe (RAU and ZADHR, April 2011), is a follow-up to the report No Hiding Place – Politically Motivated Rape Against Women in Zimbabwe (December 2010). It raises the legal, social, medical and psychological concerns of the survivors of rape and explores the phenomenon of rape in conflict situations with special attention to Zimbabwe.

Women and Law Enforcement in Zimbabwe (RAU and IDASA, March 2011), addresses women’s encounters with law enforcement agencies, and documents the brutal behaviour of the Police, in particular against female activists. Police officers have been responsible for some of the most serious human rights violations in Zimbabwe.

Sexual Violence Against Women, Justice, and the Right to Protection  (RAU, December 2010), outlines some of the challenges related to access to justice for rape victims and preventive measures under the Responsibility to Protect initiative.

When the Going Gets Tough the Man Gets Going (RAU, IDASA and ICJT, November 2010), is based on a survey of Zimbabwean women from all walks of life. It addresses women’s views on politics, governance, political violence and transitional justice.

Preying on the “Weaker” Sex: Political Violence Against Women in Zimbabwe (RAU, IDASA, and ICTJ, November 2010) and Women, Politics and the Zimbabwe Crisis (RAU, IDASA, and ICTJ, May 2010) cover Zimbabwean women’s experiences and witnessing of political violence. The report stresses the crucial need for security agencies to operate in a non-partisan fashion to prevent political violence and calls for civilian oversight and control of the security forces.

Human Rights Violations Experienced by Female Members of the National Constitutional Assembly (RAU, December 2009), demonstrates the severe risks facing female activists face in their peaceful pursuit of the National Constitutional Assembly’s vision of a democratic and people driven constitution. This includes violence, torture and rape by state agents, but in particular by state-sponsored youth militia and war veterans.

Justice Denied (December 2009) (by Medical Foundation for the care of victims of torture) is an analysis of testimonies of 100 survivors of rape and their attempts at seeking justice.

Putting it Right: Addressing Human Rights Violations against Zimbabwean Women (RAU, March 2009), discusses the need and opportunities for ending impunity and ensure access to justice for female survivors of political violence.

Electing to Rape: Sexual Terror in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe (2009) (by AIDS-Free World), report on the systematic rape campaign against female MDC supporters during the 2008 elections, taking an outset in Zimbabwe’s obligations under domestic law and regional and international treaties.