adminMusasa Project, an organisation advocating for women issues, will host a programme today where women will sign petitions against under-performing parastatals that have hindered women empowerment.
The programme will take place at Amphitheatre and women from all walks of life are invited.
In an interview yesterday, Musasa’s regional manager Ms Lindile Ndebele said today was a day for women to express themselves and stand up for their rights.
“The programme is meant to grant women the chance to express their views on every issue that is troubling them.
“We are saying women should look for information on their rights and laws that seek to protect them from gender-based violence (GBV),” said Ms Ndebele.
She said the theme for 2012 urged young women to start showing interest in women’s issues as they were future leaders and mothers.
“This year we want the young women to partake in this plight against the abuse of women. They are future leaders and need all the relevant information on how they will lead us.
“We also have programmes as Musasa to equip the young ones in leadership skills because we are looking forward to that day when women will have decision-making positions,” she said.
Bulawayo’s provincial development officer in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Mrs Vaidah Mashangwa, said there was still more to be done in reducing GBV cases.
“It’s a concern to note that GBV cases that go unreported are a cause of the HIV and Aids related diseases that women contract from abusive spouses.
“We are calling for the reduction of GBV and the campaigning for the empowerment of women in terms of decision making positions so that there is national development,” said
Mrs Mashangwa.
She said her ministry was going to commemorate the day on 16 March in Binga.
Online Reporter