Women to learn about the Constitution

Fifty women will gather at a local hotel in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on June 21 and 22, 2009 for a two-day workshop aimed at analysing the current Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The workshop which was organised by the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe comes at a time when Zimbabweans are calling for the Government of National Unity (GNU) to come up with a people-driven Constitution that recognises and upholds international standards of human rights.
Most Zimbabweans are not aware of the contents of the current Constitution and its 19 Amendments. For the past 28 years the Government of Zimbabwe has shown its lack of commitment in educating its citizens on the Constitution of the land. As a result, many Zimbabweans not aware of the violation of their rights and how the Constitution contradicts itself.
This workshop seeks to enlighten women on some of the grey areas in the Constitution and how these affect their lives. It will give women a chance to reflect on a number of key issues that affect them and enable women to map a strategy on how to have these issues included in the new Constitution.
Currently, Zimbabweans are debating on how progressive the new Constitution should be. Many are calling for a Constitution that recognises and upholds international standards of Human Rights. However, others want a Constitution that preserves cultural and religious beliefs at the expense of minority groups.

By Gertrude Pswarayi