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Realizing Rights Founder Mary Robinson Calls Harare Women's Conference a Success


Leaders of the women’s wings of Zimbabwe's three unity government partners signed a resolution calling for the faster implementation of the 2008 Global Political Agreement for power sharing

Delegates to an International Women’s Conference concluded in Harare late Thursday headed home on Friday with what they said were solid accomplishments from the gathering.

Leaders of the women’s wings of Zimbabwe's three unity government partners signed a resolution to accelerate the implementation of the 2008 Global Political Agreement for power sharing, and to work together to enshrine the rights of women in the constitution that the country is supposed to revise by late this year.

VOA Studio 7 reporter Brenda Moyo caught up with Mary Robinson, former Irish president and leader of a delegation of African women leaders who took part in the conference. Robinson, founding president of Realizing Rights, The Ethical Globalization Initiative, said she was pleased with the achievements of the five-day gathering.

Elsewhere, the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute said it is honoring Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai with an award for his efforts to restore democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. He is to receive the W. Averell Harriman award along with the network of Choco women of Colombia.

The National Democratic Institute, an arm of the U.S. Democratic Party, cited Mr. Tsvangirai’s "unwavering" commitment to human rights despite "attempted assassination, imprisonment and harassment." Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will present Mr. Tsvangirai with the award in May.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Chairman Andrew Makoni tells VOA Studio 7 reporter Blessing Zulu that the National Democratic Institute's award to Mr. Tsvangirai is well-deserved.

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