Zimbabwe: Information concerning the Zimbabwean Women Lawyers' Association, its association with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and whether it held a convention at Belvedere Teachers' College in Harare in late 2000
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 7 January 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZWE40038.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Zimbabwe: Information concerning the Zimbabwean Women Lawyers' Association, its association with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and whether it held a convention at Belvedere Teachers' College in Harare in late 2000, 7 January 2003, ZWE40038.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e40a.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to information that was posted on the Web site of The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), "an independent centre of knowledge and expertise in the areas of international and intercultural cooperation [which] aims ... to contribute to sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and cultural preservation and exchange" (KIT n.d.a), the Zimbabwean Women Lawyers' Association is the secretariat to the Constitutional Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe (ibid. n.d.b). Set up in June 1999 by women activists, the Coalition aims "to redress the marginalisation of women and their concerns from both the government led Constitutional Commission and the civil society led National Constitutional Assembly [NCA]" (ibid.). The Coalition is comprised of approximately 66 women activists, researchers, academics, and representatives of 29 women's human rights organizations, and was initially set up by women members of the NCA "to ensure that women's concerns were considered by the NCA and that women were involved in NCA leadership structures" (ibid.).
Some other activities in which the ZWLA has been involved include:
– participation in a "protest against the alleged rape of a 13-year-old schoolgirl by her 63-year old deputy headmaster" (Africa News 21 Nov. 2002);
– lobbying for the passage of the Sexual Offences Act, which was implemented in August 2001 (ibid. 14 Oct. 2002);
– conducting legal research concerning women's issues (ibid. 2 Aug. 2002; Sunday Telegraph 31 Mar. 2002); and
– gathering evidence "to prepare legal action" to release women who are being held and sexually abused in militia camps in Zimbabwe, and to prosecute "their tormentors" (Africa News 18 Apr. 2002).
Further information on the ZWLA could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
On the issue of the ZWLA's association with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), information is scarce. According to an article published in October 2000, the ZWLA, along with other civil rights groups, joined the MDC "in urging President Robert Mugabe to step down with immediate effect" (Africa News 5 Oct. 2000).
According to KIT, the Constitutional Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe has engaged in dialogue with three political parties, including the MDC, "on the need for gender balance in top party positions and gender sensitive manifestos" (n.d.b). The Coalition conducted a critique in this regard and noted that "no party had a clearly articulated gender policy" (ibid.).
Information on whether the ZWLA held a women's convention at Belvedere Teachers' College in Harare in late 2000 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Africa News. 21 November 2002. "Zimbabwe: Daily News Staffers Released Without Charge." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 October 2002. "Zimbabwe: Act Brings Hope to Rape Victims." (NEXIS)
_____. 2 August 2002. "Zimbabwe: Shut Down 'Sex Slave' Youth Camps, Says MP." (NEXIS)
_____. 18 April 2002. "Zimbabwe: Women Lawyers Act on Political Sexual Abuse." (NEXIS)
_____. 5 October 2000. "Zimbabwe: New Civic Group Ups Calls For Mugabe to Go." (NEXIS)
The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT). n.d.a. "KIT's Mission & Expertise." _____. n.d.b. "Zimbabwe." Sunday Telegraph [London]. 31 March 2002. Brian Latham and Philip Sherwell. "'We Were the Sex Slaves of Mugabe's Men.' Victims Tell of Kidnapping, Gang Rapes and Beatings at 'Torture Camps' of Militia Groups." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
World News Connection
The Zimbabwean Women Lawyers' Association did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.
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