Reports

Political participation by young women in the 2018 elections: Pre-election report

This report observes a large increase in the number of young women that registered to vote in 2018, probably a very significant improvement in the rate of young women voting relative to the number eligible to vote compared with previous elections. The report also notes that views about the PhD (Pull her Down) syndrome, effects of culture and the views that older women seem to be doing little or nothing to encourage young women’s participation need to be taken very seriously.

Sold to the highest bidder – the role of lobola in modern Zimbabwe

Commercialisation of lobola has seen a rise in practices that stifle women’s voices and bargain in marriage. This has rendered them subservient to their husbands as society expects them to suffer in silence.

2013 VISION – SEEING DOUBLE AND THE DEAD A PRELIMINARY AUDIT OF ZIMBABWE’S VOTERS’ ROLL

The voters’ roll is an essential document in electoral processes, in this regard, this report explores how discrepancies in the voters’ roll disadvantage voters and underplay democracy if it is not accurate and up to date. An incomplete voters’ roll may disenfranchise those who might otherwise be entitled to vote while an inflated voters’ roll containing duplicate entries, names of persons who have emigrated, or of dead voters, lends itself to electoral fraud…

RAU Statement on the death of Dr. Alex Magaisa.

RAU Statement on the death of Dr. Alex Magaisa is a must read!

Zimbabwe’s history of Organised Violence and Torture: 1982-1987

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY STATEMENT 2022 “Increasing Women Leadership to mitigate Climate Crisis”

The call by women is to undo the structural fundamentals in the policy framework that inhibit full realisation of women’s potential. What needs to be removed immediately are norms, values, policies and cultures which are the brick and mortar for a patriarchal order which sustains women’s oppression.

Mutual Toleration and Institutional Forbearance: The Deep Structure of Democracy

As we move into elections, the nature of the engagement between the main political parties becomes extremely important. Elections are contests between opponents and not a war. The proliferation of hate speech is thus a very strong indicator of attitudes in political parties: calling opponents lice to be crushed is scarcely in keeping with a respectful contest.
Important aspects of “deep democracy” include respect for opposing political parties, termed “mutual toleration”, and supported by “institutional forbearance”. These provide the structure within which the rule of law, constitutionalism, and respect for human rights can flourish.
This short article discusses the need for “mutual toleration” and “institutional forbearance” in Zimbabwe today.”

Helping the victims and survivors of Organised Violence and Torture in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, as a result of the many periods in which Organised Violence and Torture (OVT) has occurred, has the consequence of tens of thousands of victims and survivors. This report outlines the problems that victims and survivors in Zimbabwe are experiencing, especially the mental health problems that are the most persistent sequelae of OVT. The report looks at the legacy from the Liberation War until the present and indicates some of the ways in which civil society organisations are providing assistance.