By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), have been named as the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights Award winners.
WOZA is a grassroots movement of over 60,000 Zimbabweans working throughout their country, empowering women from all walks of life to mobilize and take non-violent action against injustice. Tens of thousands of women have joined WOZA in standing up for human rights and speaking up about the worsening economic, social and political conditions in Zimbabwe. Along with WOZA co-founder Jenni Williams, Mahlangu has led campaigns with WOZA supporters to address many of the most crucial human rights issues facing Zimbabwean women, including domestic violence and rape, the right to food and education for children, the rights to participation and the right to association.
Since its founding in December 2002, WOZA has staged more than 100 non-violent marches in support of democratic reform and women’s empowerment. Mahlangu organizes WOZA’s protests and helped create its signature style of peaceful, yet relentless actions. In the course of her work as a human rights defender, Mahlangu has been arrested over 30 times.
“Despite constant harassment and 2500 members spending time in police custody, WOZA members continue to build a grassroots movement to ensure that the voice of the people of Zimbabwe is central to determining the future of their country” said Monika Kalra Varma, Director of the RFK Center for Human Rights.
“I feel both great excitement for the recognition of my work with WOZA and sadness because although my work has gained recognition internationally, in my own country I have been labeled an enemy of the state,” said Mahlangu in reaction to the award. “Now I know I am not alone, the world is watching and one day [Zimbabwe] shall be a normal society. With the determination of the members of WOZA, anything is possible.”
Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy will present Mahlangu and WOZA with the 2009 Award in a ceremony in mid-November. Mahlangu joins 39 RFK human rights laureates in 23 countries as the recipient of the 26th annual prize.
Commenting on the acheivement, Gay McDougall, RFK Human Rights Award Judge and U.N. Independent Expert on Minority Issues said, “In a country torn by violence and economic ruin, Magodonga Mahlangu and WOZA provide a desperately needed voice for the people of Zimbabwe and we were proud to select her and her organization for this prestigious award,”
For 41 years, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights has worked for a more peaceful and just world. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor courageous and innovative human rights defenders throughout the world who stand up against injustice, often at great personal risk. The award includes a cash prize of $30,000 and on-going legal, advocacy and technical support through a partnership with the RFK Center. Winners are selected by an independent panel of human rights experts. The 2009 panel included McDougall; Makau Mutua, Dean of University at Buffalo Law School; Sushma Raman, President of Southern California Grantmakers; and Dr. William F. Schultz, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress.
For more information, Please see:
SWRadio Africa News – WOZA scoops top human rights award – 12 October 2009
SWRadio Africa News – Woza Protestors Beaten by Police in Bulawayo – 22 September 2009
Nehanda Radio – WOZA scoop Kennedy human rights award – 17 September 2009
