4 December 2008
press release
States in Transition Observatory look at the Zimbabwe's botched election and the subsequent violence, and how this has specifically affected women. They underscore the fact that in times of crisis and conflict, such as those still being witnessed in Zimbabwe, it is always the women and children who are most victimized. The case of Zimbabwe shows how women suffer, both for perceived direct participation in the political process, but also by proxy, for their husbands' or family members' involvement. In Zimbabwe, as in other conflict areas, sexual violence continues to be a tool of war.
In times of war and political crises women and girls, mostly civilians, become targets of violence. "A feature of these conflicts is that the civilian population is increasingly 'caught up' in the conflict or even deliberately targeted by parties to the conflict. In this context women and girls are exposed to acts of violence, often resulting in death and injury from indiscriminate military attacks. During armed conflict, women and children are more likely to be subjected to mysterious disappearances, hostage-taking, torture, imprisonment, sexual- and gender-based violence, forced recruitment into the armed forces and displacement" (Koen, 2006:1). As a consequence, many women are faced with a long term struggle with trauma and HIV/AIDS.
Violations of women's human rights are widespread in a number of countries on the African continent. A distressing example is Zimbabwe, where politically motivated wanton abuse has been more pronounced than in most hot spots on the continent. This violence surged in the aftermath of the 29 March 2008 elections, in which ZANU-PF lost its majority in parliament for the first time since independence in 1980 [1]. In the presidential race, Robert Mugabe came second to the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), leader Morgan Tsvangirai [2]. A presidential run-off ballot was deemed necessary as neither candidate achieved the 50 percent plus one vote required for an outright win.
Despite being given free food, grain, farming implements and fertilizer by the incumbent regime before the March 2008 elections, Zimbabwe's rural areas, once viewed as strongholds of the ruling ZANU-PF party, backed the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). This move by the rural folk resulted in some senior government members losing their parliamentary seats in a number of provinces. As a result, the period prior to the run-off election was marked by extensive violence, torture and internal displacement of the electorate believed to be supporting the opposition. The aim was to target potential MDC activists and leaders at different levels. Massive human rights violations committed in the post election period include: unlawful killing of civilians, torture, rape, abductions, destruction of villages and property, looting of cattle, grain and property, the destruction of the means of livelihood of civilians and forced displacement.
Although many Zimbabweans became victims, this paper looks at women who suffered during the post-election violence. Women in Zimbabwe have been assaulted, tortured, and sexually harassed. In some instances, they were the direct victims of violence and in others, they bore the brunt of the impact of the violence as male opposition party supporters fled the rural areas; leaving women more vulnerable and with the burden of providing for families in the midst of the worsening economic and humanitarian crisis. In addition, in an attempt to force the men to return to the rural areas, the ruling party (ZANU PF) militia frequently abducted women and children and held their men folk to ransom. Women were harassed because their husbands, sons or male relatives were suspected of being supporters of the opposition party. Female candidates and activists were also victims of the violence. Leaders at local levels, social workers and health advisors who worked to support female MPs were also targeted.
INTRODUCTION
The link between election results and election violence can be found in Operation Makavhotera Papi [where did you put your vote?]- a program that saw war veterans, soldiers, militia, intelligence operative and ruling party youths inflicting retribution on suspected supporters of the opposition in both rural and urban areas (Zimbabwe Peace Project, 2008). Post election violence resulted in numerous instances of rape and other forms of sexual violence in Zimbabwe.
The primary focus of this paper is sexual abuse in the post election period in Zimbabwe and its impact on women's lives. The paper includes personal testimonies and discussions of the impact of sexual abuse, the culture of impunity and the lack of institutional support. Having outlined different ideas about what motivates rapists in conflict situations, it discusses post-traumatic assistance needs and the social responses to rape. It highlights the need for both economic support and means to address psychological trauma for women who survive rape and further discusses some of the efforts made in this direction.
Primary data for this research was collected through a series of interviews with civil society organizations from Zimbabwe and eighteen Zimbabwean women and girls who were abused during the post election period [3]. The Zimbabwean women interviewed were very reluctant to talk about rape, for fear of being ostracized or increasing the security risk for their communities. Through the testimonies, this paper attempts to document, expose and call domestic and international attention to women's experiences of sexual violence in the post election environment in Zimbabwe. Deeper insight into the various aspects of sexual violence in conflict and post conflict situations and its consequences for women's health can contribute to the development of more appropriate legal instruments, policy formation and support for the affected women.
NAIROBI DECLARATION
In May 2007, the Nairobi Declaration on Women's and Girls' Rights to Remedy and Reparation was drafted in the belief that justice for women and girl survivors of sexual violence will never be achieved if reparations programmes are not informed and directed by those they are meant to serve. The Declaration is founded on the experiences of women and girl survivors of sexual violence and the expertise of activists helping them to rebuild their lives (Chitsike, 2008). The Nairobi Declaration informs this study because it directs attention to:
* Empowering women and girls, support their efforts to rebuild trust and relations and foster their participation in social reconstruction.
* Decision-making about reparations must include victims as full participants;
* Addressing social inequalities and discrimination in existence prior to conflict, which lie at the root of violence against women and girls in times of conflict;
* Promoting social justice and encourage the transformation toward a fair and equal society;
* Emphasizing the importance of truth-telling in order to allow women and girls to move ahead and become true citizens. Abuses against women must be named and recognized in order to raise awareness about these crimes and violations, to positively influence a more holistic strategy for reparation and measures that support reparation, and to help build a shared memory and history.
It is recognition of these issues that underpins the fundamental principles of reparations for sexual crimes, truth and reconciliation. Through the testimonies, this paper raises awareness about the sexual violations and abuses that were perpetrated against women.
MOTIVATION OF PERPETRATORS
The sexual attacks studied were motivated by political factors. Youth militia and war veterans targeted, raped, abducted and enslaved women who were identified as members of the opposition group or whose families belonged to the opposition party. The perpetrators in these cases seemed to act with the tacit or explicit approval of their political or party leaders. The rebel factions used sexual violence to terrorize, humiliate, punish and ultimately force the MDC supporters and leaders at various levels into submission. Women and children paid the price for the political involvement with the opposition party of their husbands, brothers or siblings [4].
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