Sexual harrasment should stop among humans

                                                                   
Janet Tatenda Bhila

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         Subtle pressure for sexual activity;

·        Patting or pinching;

·        Deliberate brushing against another person's body;

·        “Friendly” arms around the shoulder;

·        Deliberate assaults or molestations;

·        Sexually explicit pornographic pictures posted in view of all employees;

·        Demanding sexual favors, accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual's job, grades, letters of recommendation, etc.;

·        Explicit offers of money for sex.

     Stalking .

Above are examples of sexual harrasements that normally take place in our day to day runnings.It has happened to someone and it is up to us to be aware of what is happening around us and be able to stop it before more people get hurt.

It is mostly women that are affected by this because the harassers often have more power and control over their victims.This happens due to the myth or belief that women should always be submissive to the man.

The number of abuse cases is rising in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone and other African countries, statistics show. Whether that means more children are being victimized or more are coming forward — or both — is impossible to determine, experts say.

The impact is apparent in Zimbabwe, where a child rights group estimates that at least 2,000 child rape victims have died of AIDS since 1998. “Literally for the first time in Zimbabwe’s history, child abuse is no longer a taboo subject,” said James Elder, a Unicef spokesman.

 One in three of the 4,000 women questioned by the Community of Information, Empowerment and Transparency said they had been raped in the past year. A survey conducted among 1,500 schoolchildren in the Soweto township, a quarter of all the boys interviewed said that 'jackrolling', a term for gang rape, was fun. More than 25% of South African men questioned in a survey admitted to raping someone; of those, nearly half said they had raped more than one person, according to a new study conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC).It is estimated that 500,000 rapes are committed annually in South Africa.A 2010 study led by the government-funded Medical Research Foundation says that in Gauteng province, home to South Africa's most populous city of Johannesburg, more than 37 percent of men said they had raped a woman. Nearly 7 percent of the 487 men surveyed said they had participated in a gang rape.

The survivors normally feel anger frustration and some blame themselves for letting themselves be abused.In most cases some even get to the extent of changing schools,dropping out of school or even venturing into harmful practices if they are not helped in time.

The law everywhere is out to get harassers who deprive women and men of their freedom... ( Janet 2012) Please in helping others you are helping yourself....

Victim friendly units in all police stations are out there to help us lets use them.I f by any chance we face sexual harrassment anyone whom we can trust can be told or better yet the victim friendly unit or any organisation near you that deal with such issues will be of tremendous help.

Let us all set out to get educated about our rights and what happens around us it is up to us to make a stop to such inhumane practices.

Champion women’s rights, Africa urged

President Mugabe yesterday challenged governments and civic society across Africa to champion and protect the rights of women and the girl child. He was speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Global Power Women Network Africa chapter in Harare. He said the launch of the Global Power Women Network Africa chapter took the issues of women emancipation and empowerment a step further.“After the launch, the real work will begin and call for the same passion, unity of purpose and consistency in pursuing the goals which have characterised this women’s network this far. “Of particular note will be the challenge of giving unstinting support to women candidates of every cue and cry; of varying professional qualifications; driven by different talents and capabilities to realise their potential in the collaborative work of Global Power Women Network, the African Union and UNAids,” he said. The women’s network, said the President, was focused on the fulfilment of Millennium Development Goals numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the United Nations. He said the working theme for the meeting, “Getting to Zero”, appropriately summarised the desire to eradicate, once and for all, impediments to women empowerment, gender equality and equity. “It is a firm commitment to the eradication of the HIV and Aids pandemic and the alleviation of extreme poverty. “I am told that deliberations from this conference will culminate in the ‘Harare Call to Action’ which will subsequently be presented to Heads of State and Government through the African Union system.” President Mugabe said it was befitting that one of the conference’s objectives was to call upon governments and partners to affirm high-level national leadership and country ownership in the implementation of HIV and sexual reproductive health and rights. The objectives are both immediate and long-term while future conferences will be held either annually or biennially depending on resources.Venues shall be rotated among African countries and each conference will develop its own theme. Yesterday’s conference came against the backdrop of other ongoing programmes aimed at achieving the same goal.“I am pleased by this collaboration with the African Union and the desire by Global Power Women Network to further the already ongoing programmes like Campaign on Accelerated Reduction on Maternal Mortality in Africa. “By launching CARMA, Africans have shown that over the past six years (starting with the Maputo Plan of Action 2006) they are determined to accelerate the availability and use of universally accessible quality sexual and reproductive health services,” said President Mugabe. He said the launch of CARMA demonstrated that Africa cared as the programmes encompassed the mobilisation of the necessary political will to co-ordinate and harmonise interventions around country-led plans and the support of current efforts towards saving the lives of women and infants. He said Zimbabwe, through the Ministries of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development and Economic Planning and Investment Promotion had introduced the Gender Responsive Economic Policy Management Initiative.“This course builds the local capacity of policymakers and economic development practitioners to mainstream gender into economic development policy formulation.” The President took a swipe at rapists, saying they did not deserve to be treated like normal human beings. He lamented the rot that had penetrated society in which people had the nerve to rape even babies. The President also castigated homosexuality, saying it took away the rights of women and was therefore unacceptable.“I do not know what others in the gay world believe, but here we do not live in that world. “You can’t talk of women’s rights if you live in that world. “When God gave Adam a woman to give him company, that was the beginning of mankind. God gave the woman the talent to give birth and so we must respect the woman and recognise her rights,” said President Mugabe. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navanethem Pillay said Africa continued to face challenges in supporting rights-based responses to HIV and sexual reproductive health for women and young girls. She said leading causes of death among women of reproductive age were complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.“In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, young women aged between 14 and 24 are as much as eight times more likely than men to be living with HIV. “Vulnerability to HIV amongst sexually active young women, gender based violence and discrimination, as well as an inability to access sexual and reproductive health services, are causing an explosion of multiple epidemics,” said Ms Pillay. Ms Pillay added that the starting point in addressing the epidemics was to recognise that all people were equal in the enjoyment of their human rights. When women’s sexual and reproductive rights were violated, she said, they were denied the ability to have full autonomy over their bodies to lead healthy and productive lives. They were also denied the chance to decide if and when to give birth to new life. “A human rights based approach requires that women are seen as agents who control and have decision-making power over their own health, as holders of rights and entitlements rather than passive recipients of a charitable service. “Some of the most difficult leadership calls are those that ask governments to step forward to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights that must be realised for us to effectively address HIV and the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls.” Source

Welcome Statement by the President of Global Power Women Network Africa and Deputy Prime Minister to the Harare High Level Meeting – Republic of Zimbabwe

Welcome Statement by the President of Global Power Women Network Africa and Deputy Prime Minister to the Harare High Level Meeting – Republic of Zimbabwe

Global Power Women Network Africa in collaboration with the African Union and UNAIDS will host its inaugural summit on the 24^th and 25^th May 2012 in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is during this important event that in the evening of 24 May, the Global Power Women Network Africa Chapter will be officially launched. The momentous events coincide with Africa Day celebrations to buttress the importance of women and girls’ rights and empowerment.
The launch summit seeks to promote amongst other things accelerated action on gender equality and women’s sexual rights. It is an acknowledged reality that poverty and HIV have a woman face. Addressing and curbing the scourge of HIV and AIDS can be effectively done partly through resolving gender imbalances in our societies that consign women to perpetual poverty and economic subordination to their male counterparts.
We hope to use the forthcoming summit to scale up women action on key benchmarks like the Kampala Action, Maputo Action, Abuja Declaration and the Abuja Call to Action. The MDGs 4, 5 & 6 and the targets agreed during the 2011 UN High Level meeting on HIV/AIDS. Special focus will be on MDGs 1, 2 & 3. This meeting shall serve as a strategic political platform for all parties in advancing innovative game changing actions that positively impact on women and girls in Africa with “The Harare Call to Action” as a major outcome.
For this coming event our rallying call is:

• Zero  new HIV infections
• Zero  maternal and child mortality
• Zero tolerance to violence against women and girls
• Zero hunger and poverty.

Lastly, on behalf of the executive of Global Power Women Network Africa and on my behalf as its President, I congratulate as well as thank all of you who have worked tirelessly to make this dream come true. In unity we are primed for greater heights.
Thank you,
Hon. Thokozani Khupe [MP]
Deputy Prime Minister –Republic of Zimbabwe &
President of Global Power Women Network Africa

Source-http://www.globalpowerwomennetworkafrica.org/welcome-statement-by-the-president-of-global-power-women-network-africa-and-deputy-prime-minister-to-the-harare-high-level-meeting-republic-of-zimbabwe/

Zim set to Host the Global Power Network Africa High Level Meeting

By Beatrice Savadye

Zimbabwe will this week host a  high level Global Power Network Africa Summit set for 24-25th of May 2012 in Harare.

The summit which is running under the theme “Accelerating Action for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in the area of HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” will draw the delegation of about 300 parliamentarians, development partners, civil society leaders, and African women entrepreneurs from across Africa.

The Global Power Network Summit which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Thokhozani Khupe has organised this high level meeting in collaboration with African Union and UNAIDS .
The meeting is expected to be “a strategic political platform to advance innovative game-changing approaches that positively impact the lives of women and girls in Africa in relation to HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and to accelerate action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in particular Goals 3, 4, 5 and 6″.

More women than men in Sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV. In 2010, women accounted for 59% of people living with HIV on the continent, with young women aged 15 to 24 being at particular risk. In some countries women in this age group are up to six times more likely to be infected than young men of the same age.

In 2010, an estimated 390 000 children under 15 years were newly infected with HIV globally of that total 350,000 were in Africa. More than half of all maternal deaths are estimated to occur in Africa, with an average maternal mortality ratio of 620 per 100 000 live births, a significant proportion by AIDS-related causes.

The outcomes of the high level meeting will be tabled at the African Union Heads of States summit to be held in Lilongwe in July 2012 as well as the International AIDS Conference in Washington in July 2012.

Gwenn speaks…

In most societies, women and girls face power imbalances, unequal opportunities, discrimination and human rights violations including widespread violence inside and outside the home. In Zimbabwe, out of the estimated 1 023 038 adults living with HIV, 608 700 are both young and adult women. The high HIV prevalence among women is a result of the engendered nature of decision making in our country and continent.

Young women’s state of limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services as well as limited skills and ability to negotiate for safer sex, including condom use have placed many of us at high risk. Given this background, I believe with the given opportunity to be part of the Young Women Leadership programme as an advocate and leader representing young women I will be able to make a difference.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges remain a challenge for girls and women in our continent and these have been causing a range of negative effects including unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, increased number of sexual violation cases and new STI/HIV infections. These SRH challenges are profoundly embedded in the social, cultural and political fabric of our society and as a young woman with enthusiasm and who is empowered with skills and abilities, I believe together with other young women in SAWYNet we will address these challenges and proffer solutions the world has been waiting for.

“The participation of a young woman for the good of all girls and women will be the most powerful ray of hope for the generations to come.” (Gwenn T.T Chimuti 2011)

With regards to Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) and HIV and AIDS, being a young person with a strong passion for other youths and a leader have positioned me to better understand the trends, challenges, gaps and achievements in ASRH and HIV programming in Zimbabwe and this has been a place of advantage as I am now well informed. Meaningful involvement and participation have been experiences that made me realize that the future of young people in Zimbabwe and their sexual and reproductive health lies with how I represent them. A strong sense of responsibility and accountability are traits that have been instilled in me over the years and I believe together with SAWYNet youth leaders our continent will be a “haven” for all youths.

I’m a young person who believes in touching people’s lives and making a difference and as a leader I believe I will be able to mentor many young people who will also rise and develop our African continent. Volunteerism has proven to me the best way to sustainable development and has many other benefits like curbing the challenge of unemployment and enables the young people to gain experience and skill without much cost.

A time will come and now is … when the most unforeseen and almost forgotten being will change the world. The SAWYNet team – Young vibrant and powerful team of young women is here and will surely turn the tide for the good of humanity!!!

 “Nurturing young women to become leaders and champions of HIV and SRHR”.

Meeting the Candidates: SAfAIDS Young Women Leadership (YWL) Programme


By Tafadzwa Thelma Madondo (SAfAIDS Progamme Officer and Coordinator of YWL Programme)

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the SAfAIDS Young Women First (YWF!) Programme, it is important to emphasise that, this past year the programme has witnessed greater achievements in mobilizing young people whilst contributing to the visible change in their lives as they are taking charge of their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Through the YWF! email, facebook and webpage, the voices of young women and girls as both beneficiaries and owners of the programme are being amplified by providing them with safe spaces and capacities to participate fully in SRHR debates and advocacy campaigns.

Upon realization that there is need to identify young champions to push the SRHR agenda forward and make YWF! programme more effective in creating a platform for young women and girls to take the lead in SRHR advocacy, SAfAIDS has embarked on 2 year Young Women Leadership (YWL) training programme with 9 young women and girls between the ages of 18-24years. This programme seeks to groom and nurture the young women and girls from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to become champions and leaders in SRHR, HIV, LGBTI and GBV. The candidates have already been identified and they consist of vibrant, intelligent and motivated young women, each with unique backgrounds. The programme has a 3 tier training approach consisting of 2 exhilarating and informative training modules followed by a practical skills building module, to transform the young women into effective champions and advocates for SRHR awareness raising in their respective communities and countries. The first inspirational training was held from the 27^th of February – 2 March 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. SAfAIDS would like to invite you to meet the YWL candidates below as they state their visions in life and embark on this leadership journey.

Bolivia Jeremiah (23)

My vision is to see my nation, and the world becoming a valued based society (with respect, integrity, social justice, compassionate and authenticity), well integrated with issues of SRH, gender based violence and HIV.

Beatrice Savadye (24)

My vision is to see empowered young women with greater control over their SRHR through creation of sustainable livelihoods and opportunities.

Charmaine Picardo (21)

I want to empower young people, especially young women in SRHR through the performing and media arts, and in the long run help them become economically stable through the arts as well.

Clarisa Regede (21)

My vision is to work with young mothers under the age of 23years .Having noticed the way these young women have been marginalised in society and deemed the rotten or spoilt eggs for having entered maternal responsibility at a "young" age. I think other young women and society can learn from these brave young mothers’ experiences.

Florence Khaxas (23)

I envision a society in which young women are leaders, and enjoy respect, free to explore and express their sexuality and choice, in an environment that they are not discriminated.

Gwen Chimuti (24)

I want to leave a legacy of young people that are well informed of their rights especially those relating to SRHR. I would also like to raise awareness on the African Youth Charter amongst the youth in Africa, for them to understand their rights as stated in the Charter.

Janet Bhila (22)

I want to help young women especially adolescents to gain knowledge of their SRHR through psycho social support and also to support and mentor them throughout their lives.

Kristofina Lawana (20)

My vision is “food for power”.  I want to use my passion for gardening to support young women between the ages of 15-24years especially those living with HIV to be able to support themselves through generating gardening projects.

Opelo Modiakgotla (23)

I want to reach young women in rural communities to enhance their knowledge on sexuality and SRHR issues. I want to instill in them, awareness and sense of belonging for them to be in control of their sexuality without feeling embarrassed about it.

Tatenda Munetsi (24)

I want to continually develop women’s potential through training, consulting, inspiring, empowering, reaching and nurturing today’s woman for tomorrow.

SAfAIDS will support the candidates to translate their visions and aspirations in to reality. They will have an opportunity to learn from personal coaches and mentors from recognized SRHR and women’s organizations. Upon completion for the 3 tier module training the young women candidates will then go back to their communities and conduct advocacy SRHR related activities based on work plans developed in the course of the training. The activities will include community dialogues, youth campaigns and participation in SRHR platforms and debates. This will allow them to expose their leadership qualities and knowledge gained through the training. At the end of this programme SAfAIDS anticipates that the candidates will be well-positioned leaders and champions recognized in their respective countries and beyond.