WAG launches advocacy campaign

Audrey Galawu

Women Action Group today launched a four-month long campaign in the run-up to their 40th anniversary on October 31.

Speaking during the launch WAG Executive Director Edina Masiyiwas said while WAG has managed to address inequality issues with a special focus one women, there is still a lot to accomplish in ensuring women in Zimbabwe enjoy true equality.

“Issues such as domestic violence, inheritance, custody of children and maintenance were some of the issues tackled by WAG during the first decade of its inception.

“WAG also advocated for law reform and popularising the legal age of majority that was passed in 1982.

“The organisation gave women a voice to speak out on issues that affect them through the ‘Speak Out, Taurai, Kulumani’ magazine.

“The second decade saw WAG responding to the HIV scourge which claimed the lives of many. The HIV had huge impact on women in Zimbabwe as most of them were not empowered to negotiate for safer sex,” Masiyiwa said.

The campaign is running under the theme “Unleashing the Power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.”

The campaign will feature various activities to reflect on the wins and losses in the journey travelled while celebrating the gender equality champions in Zimbabwe and will host several conversations with women from all walks of lives.

Masiyiwa added that the organisation’s strategy for 2023-2028 will focus on women’s transformative leadership and governance, gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

WAG has served to drive gender equality and women’s rights in Zimbabwe with a determination to see a country with empowered women and girls, claiming and enjoying their rights in a situation of transformed power relations between women and men.