Zim women remain on fringes of politics 25 years after Beijing
social commentary:with Moses Mugugunyeki
In September 1995, 25 years ago, people from all walks of life from across the globe converged in Beijing, China, for the fourth World Conference on Women.
For them, it was an opportunity to usher the way forward with regard to gender equality and ending violence against women.
After two weeks of deliberations, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, regarded as the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights, was birthed.
The Platform for Action made comprehensive commitments under 12 critical areas of concern, which member states, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other participants pledged to undertake in their respective jurisdictions.
Zanu PF skeletons tumble in Chitown demolitions
January 17, 2021 in Local, News
By Richard Muponde and Moses Mugugunyeki
Leaked letters addressed to Chitungwiza Town Council bosses have exposed the government’s involvement in the demolition of homes and other illegal structures in Harare and the dormitory town with the hand of Local Government minister July Moyo coming out prominently.
Provincial development coordinator (PDC) Tafadzwa Muguti is also exposed as an influential figure in a complex scheme involving the ruling party Zanu PF whose hidden hand controls Chitungwiza council’s day-to-day operations.
Chitungwiza Town Council recently announced plans to demolish about 11 000 illegal structures, which include residential and commercial properties.
Demolitions hurt women, children
December 27, 2020 in Local
Eight years ago Miriam Phiri moved into her newly built house in Chitungwiza’s Zengeza 4 Extension.
social commentary
with Moses Mugugunyeki
Despite having purchased the ground on which she built her “mansion” from a “third party”, Phiri claimed to have the blessings of the local authority.
She is among thousands of home seekers who have fallen prey to land barons masquerading as “real estate agents” who operate outside Chitungwiza Municipality head office in Zengeza 3.
“I was referred to someone outside the council office who could facilitate a piece of land to build a house,” said Phiri, a single mother of three.
Zimbabwe’s economic woes driving gbv
social commentary:with Moses Mugugunyeki
After enduring a seven-year marriage of abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Tendai Ndlovu left her rural home in Mwenezi for Masvingo town with the hope of finding a job so that she could look after her family.
It turned out to be a nightmare getting a decent job in the town, prompting Ndlovu, a mother of two, to abandon the search and join the sex work trade.
Before she left for the city, her ex-husband had lost employment at a Bulawayo-based meat processing company and had joined the family at their rural home in Mwenezi.
Light shines at the end of Zim’s HIV tunnel
December 13, 2020 in Local, News
For close to 15 years, Memory Chinake from Gombe village in Seke rural has been living with HIV.
social commentary:with Moses Mugugunyeki
She lost her husband, who had defaulted on taking antiretroviral drugs.
For her, taking ARVs is a routine, something she has done religiously for more than a decade.
“I am taking ARVs and this is my 15th year on the programme,” Chinake said.
“My husband could not make it because he defaulted at some point.”
Chinake is a beneficiary of Zimbabwe’s comprehensive HIV and Aids programme.