Zimbabweans Mark International Women's Day With Call to End Gender Violence

WASHINGTON —  Zimbabwe joined the international community in commemorating International Women’s Day on Friday with a call to promote gender equality in the country.

Activists will Saturday lead a march to express discomfort over the increasing number of rape and domestic violence cases against women.

Senior government officials, women’s groups and other activists will march in Rugare suburb of Harare where 10-year old Tsitsi Stacy Munjoma, was found dead after being raped last month.

The women’s coalition held a discussion in Harare on Friday under the theme 'Peace begins with me, you and us: Dealing with eradicating violence against women and girls'.

This year's International Women's Day theme is 'The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum'. It focuses on celebrating achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change and pushing for global momentum in championing women's equality.

Women’s rights activist and MDC-T lawmaker Tabitha Khumalo spoke at the meeting. She urged all Zimbabwean women to take a stand and join the march in solidarity with all women and children victim to gender inequalities.

Khumalo said her message to all Zimbabwean women was to raise their voice, as "the time for keeping quiet has come to pass," and women have to stop issues affecting them.

Interview With Tabitha Khumalo

Khumalo said her message to all Zimbabwean women was to raise their voice, as "the time for keeping quiet has come to pass," and women have to stop issues affecting them.

Chairwoman Virginia Muwanigwa of the Women’s Coalition said this year Zimbabwean women are making progress so far to promote equal rights.

Muwanigwa said women are taking stock of where they are coming from and how much more needs to be done to improve their lot.

Interview With Virginia Muwanigwa

She said the draft charter has assisted women in gaining ground of gender issues but she warned that the lack of implementation of these laws was affecting women.