#Joanna Mamombe

[coochiequeens]

Today we honor the Women fighting to end sex based violence 

Today, the United States commemorates the work of women human rights defenders: women and girls, in all their diversity, who champion human rights for all. As President Biden said, “The world is more peaceful, safe, and prosperous when the human rights of women are respected, and they can fully participate in economic, social, and political life.” Women, in all their diversity, offer unique contributions, including to making and keeping peace in countries around the world. Those contributions lead to better outcomes not just for women, but for society as a whole.

Women human rights defenders are often on the receiving end of multiple and intersecting forms of gender-based discrimination and violence, compounded by other attributes, such as race, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, or socioeconomic status. Acts of gender-based harassment, threats, and abuse create barriers to women’s full and equal participation in democracy and civic life. These acts can also have a chilling effect, leading to self-censorship and disengagement of women and girls from public life and discouraging them from pursuing their political and civic ambitions.

Despite these challenges, women human rights defenders are leading the charge globally on issues that affect everyone, including combating authoritarianism, championing democracy and equal political participation, seeking accountability and justice for human rights abuses and violations, defending free and independent media, pushing for climate crisis solutions, and working to build a more sustainable future for all.

On this International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, the United States commits to continuing to work with partners and allies to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and strengthen the representation of women around the world, including addressing systemic barriers to women’s participation in politics and public life. We remain resolute in our commitment to champion and support women human rights defenders, in all their diversity, and continue to promote the critical role they play in advocating for and securing the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

Azza Soliman – Egypt

Leading human rights defender Azza Soliman, co-founder of the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance (CEWLA),  continues to be oppressed by the government of Egypt. Azza along with other human rights defenders, including Mozn Hassan, the director of Nazra for Feminist Studies, have been for the past five years banned from leaving the country and their assets have been confiscated. Their only ‘crime’ is their progressive work on women’s human rights and calling for the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls in Egypt. 

Follow the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance on Facebook.

Dina Smailova – Kazakhstan

In January 2020, Dina Smailova, head of a leading women’s rights organization NeMolchi (meaning, Do Not Be Silent in Russian) in Kazakhstan faced criminal charges for defamation. She had been litigating the “Talgo” rape case in Kazakhstan, which has received much public attention. The defamation charge related to a comment she made about a prominent Kazakh blogger, related to his coverage of the “Talgo” case which revealed the survivor’s personal information and suggested she was “lying” about the incident. Thankfully, in March Dina won the case, and is no longer facing criminal charges for defamation. 

The charges Dina faced are part of a worrying global trend of defamation laws being used in an attempt to silence those who speak up about their own sexual harassment or assault or speak out in defense of others. 

Read more about the “Talgo” rape case and the charges Dina faced.

Joanna Mamombe (a member of Parliament), Cecilia Chimbiri, and Netsai Marova – Zimbabwe 

On 13 May 2020, Joanna Mamombe (a member of Parliament), Cecilia Chimbiri, and Netsai Marova attended a peaceful demonstration to protest the Government of Zimbabwe’s failure to address hunger facing vulnerable communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The three women were arrested at a police checkpoint as they were leaving. 

Following their arrest, they were taken from police custody by five unidentified men, not in uniform, who are believed to be state security agents. They were held incommunicado for 36 hours during which time they reported to have undergone torture, rape, and physical assault. They were rearrested on charges of making false statements prejudicial to the state after their ordeal became public and are currently remanded without bail pending trial for several days, during which time, due to COVID-19 restrictions, they were denied visits from their family or friends. They were eventually released on bail, but the violence against them has yet to be properly investigated, they still need proper medical attention for their injuries, and they still face charges.

Take action to call on the African Union to hold Zimbabwe accountable.  

Loujain AlHathloul, Nouf Abdelaziz, Samar Badawi, Nassima Al-Sadah, Mohammed Al-Bajadi, and Miyaa Al-Zahrani – Saudi Arabia 

On 15 May 2018, Saudi Arabia began a campaign of arrests of Saudi Women Human Rights Defenders. In the past year, the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has further deteriorated. Whilst five of the women human rights defenders detained in 2018 have been provisionally released, Loujain AlHathloul, Nouf Abdelaziz, Samar Badawi, Nassima Al-Sadah, Mohammed Al-Bajadi, and Miyaa Al-Zahrani remain in detention.

On Monday 26 October,  Loujain AlHathloul, a 31-year-old Saudi women’s rights activist who has been arbitrarily detained since May of 2018 started a hunger strike to protest the conditions of her imprisonment in Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday 25 November, her case was referred to the Specialized Criminal Court where she will face charges related to terrorism and national security. 

As part of the Free Saudi Activists Coalition, we continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Saudi activists. Join us. 

Manjula Pradeep and Manisha Mashaal –  India 

On 14 September 2020, a young Dalit woman was gang-raped in Hathras, India, and died of her injuries. This was one of a number of grave incidents of rape and caste-based sexual violence that lead to widespread public outrage in India, shedding a spotlight on an issue that has for too long been invisiblized by the intersecting caste- and gender-based discrimination faced by Dalit women. Manjula Pradeep and Manisha Mashaal are two lawyers at the forefront of the movement to end caste-based discrimination in India, having founded Wise Act of Youth Visioning and Engagement (WAYVE) Foundation and Swabhiman Society respectively. 

We recently collaborated with them on the release of Justice Denied: Sexual Violence and Intersectional Discrimination – Barriers to Accessing Justice for Dalit Women and Girls in Haryana, India. 

Take action to call on the Haryana government to address sexual violence and caste-based discrimination.

The migrant women who went public about forced sterilizations in immigration detention – United States 

Earlier this year, a number of migrant women claimed they had been forced to undergo hysterectomies and other procedures whilst in immigration detention in the United States leaving them unable to conceive. A whistleblower complaint, filed on behalf of Dawn Wooten, a nurse and former employee of the detention center in question, includes claims of an alarmingly high rate of hysterectomies performed on Spanish speaking women at the center. 

Since going public with their claims, at least six women have already been deported, and several more face “imminent” deportation. 

Proyecto Matria – Puerto Rico, United States

Proyecto Matria, an NGO which works on economic development for poor and marginalized women, with a focus on gender equality, have faced many threats over the years, most recently from a local conservative politician, but they continue to push forward, following their philosophy of “service with activism”.

Grassroots activists and organizations around the world are on the front lines of the movement to end violence against women, providing safe spaces and services to survivors. Too often, like Proyecto Matria, these organizations face hostility from local and national governments, making their essential work even more difficult. 

Follow Proyecto Matria on Facebook and Twitter

International WHRDs day is part of the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, a time for global action to increase awareness and galvanize advocacy on behalf of women, girls, and marginalized genders.

[chrischarambadiaries]

Peace-loving Zimbabweans Should Be Appalled By The Ongoing Abductions & Torture: Churches

Peace-loving Zimbabweans Should Be Appalled By The Ongoing Abductions & Torture: Churches

The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) has received with shock and disbelief the news of yet another abduction and inhuman treatment of three young women including a Member of Parliament.

This comes only some few days after the barbaric physical assault of two women, Ntombizodwa and Nokuthula Mpofu, of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo by six police officers.

It should be stated that the…

[humanrightsupdates]

Zimbabwe: Activist opposition members await trial

Activist Rashid Mahiya and opposition Members of Parliament Charlton Hwende and Joanna Mamombe are awaiting trial on the charge of ‘subverting a constitutional government’. The charge attracts a sentence of more than 20 years in prison. All three have been released on bail and are awaiting trial.

TAKE ACTION:

Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.

Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 34.19. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa Munhumutapa Building Corner Sam Nujoma / Samora Machel Harare, Zimbabwe Email: info@opc.gov.zw

H.E. Ambassador Ammon. M. Mutembwa Embassy of Zimbabwe 1608 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202 332 7100 I Fax: 202 483 9326 E-Mail: infor33@zimembassydc.gov.zw Salutation: Dear Ambassador

Your Excellency President Mnangagwa,

I am concerned with the trumped-up charges against Rashid Mahiya, Joanna Mamombe and Charlton Hwende.

All three have been charged with ‘subverting a constitutional government’ which attracts a sentence of more than 20 years in prison in an ongoing government crackdown on human rights defenders, activists and opposition members. The charges are in connection with a three-day national shutdown called for by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on 14-16 January in protest against a hike in fuel prices in Zimbabwe.

Rashid Mahiya, an activist and Chairperson of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition group was arrested on 26 February. Joanna Mamombe, the youngest female Member of Parliament (MP) with the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change Alliance(MDC-A), was arrested on 2 March while attending a parliamentary workshop. Charlton Hwende, an MDC Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana was arrested on 5 March upon arrival at the airport in Harare after being out of the country since 21 December 2018 for medical treatment. Rashid was granted bail on 7 March and Charlton got bail on 8 March whilst Joanna was granted bail on 9 March.

They are awaiting trial.

I call on you to ensure that the charges against Rashid Mahiya, Joanna Mamombe and Charlton Hwende are dropped immediately; end the crackdown on human rights defenders, activists and opposition members in Zimbabwe and ensure full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and that the judicial system is not misused to persecute perceived opponents of ZANU PF, the ruling party.

Yours sincerely,

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION: Word or PDF

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CONTACT US: uan@aiusa.org

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Mamombe Released From Chikurubi Prison

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Zimbabwe: Mamombe Released From Chikurubi Prison

[New Zimbabwe] The High Court Wednesday ordered the release of MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe from Chikurubi prison where she has been incarcerated for mental examination in the past two weeks.

[zambianobserver]

Zimbabwe probes ‘abduction, torture’ of opposition MP

The Zimbabwe’s home affairs minister has ordered an investigation into the alleged abduction of an opposition MP and two youth leaders.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) MP Joanna Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marov said they were arrested last week while demonstrating over the government’s Covid-19 response.

The three women said they were tortured and sexually assaulted by people…

[mubahood360]

Viongozi wa upinzani Zimbabwe waliokuwa wametoweka wamepatikana wakiwa wamepigwa vibaya – Radio Jambo - UGNEWS24

Viongozi wa upinzani Zimbabwe waliokuwa wametoweka wamepatikana wakiwa wamepigwa vibaya – Radio Jambo – UGNEWS24

Baada ya taarifa kujiri kuhusiana na kutoweka kwa wabunge wa upinzani Zimbabwe, imebainika kuwa wabunge hao watatu wa chama cha MDC wamepatikana kama wamepigwa na kuachwa na majeraha mabaya  kando ya barabara. Taarifa ambazo zimethibitishwa na chama hicho.

MP Joanna Mamombe, kiongozi wa Vijana  Cecilia Chimbiri na  Netsai Marov walisemekana kutoweka katika njia tatanishi baada ya kuandaa…

[afroinsider]

MDC MP Joanna Mamombe suffers miscarriage after being detained by police, sues ZRP for US$120 000

MDC MP Joanna Mamombe suffers miscarriage after being detained by police, sues ZRP for US$120 000

Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe (MDC Alliance) has sued the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for US$120 000 after suffering a miscarriage, which she alleges was because of police actions.

In a letter to the ZRP, Mamombe said she was summoned to the Law and Order section on May 23 this year while she was attending the MDC congress in Gweru.

She reported at Harare Central Police station on May 28,…

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Judge Reserves Ruling in Mamombe, Activists' Freedom Bid

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Zimbabwe: Judge Reserves Ruling in Mamombe, Activists' Freedom Bid

[New Zimbabwe] High Court judge, David Foroma has reserved his judgement on bail appeal by three MDC Alliance activists, Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Jailed Opposition Activists Approach High Court for Bail

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Zimbabwe: Jailed Opposition Activists Approach High Court for Bail

[New Zimbabwe] Incarcerated Harare West MP, Joanna Mamombe and two female MDC Alliance activists, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri have approached the High Court seeking bail.

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Opposition Trio to Challenge Prosecution Through ConCourt

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Zimbabwe: Opposition Trio to Challenge Prosecution Through ConCourt

[New Zimbabwe] MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe and two party activists are set to take their bid to stop prosecution to the Constitutional Court.

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Chinamasa Scolds Abducted Opposition Activists for 'Refusing to Cooperate With Police'

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Zimbabwe: Chinamasa Scolds Abducted Opposition Activists for 'Refusing to Cooperate With Police'

[New Zimbabwe] Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa says MDC Alliance legislator Joanna Mamombe and her two party colleagues were making it difficult for police to do their job as they are refusing to cooperate with the law enforcement agents.

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Activists Abductions - Govt Wary of Enemy Attempts to Soil Its Image - Moyo

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Zimbabwe: Activists Abductions - Govt Wary of Enemy Attempts to Soil Its Image - Moyo

[New Zimbabwe] Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo says the alleged abduction and torture of MDC MP Joanna Mamombe and two party activists could not be divorced from an alleged pattern of stage-managed incidents orchestrated by government critics to hoodwink the world into the false belief the Zanu PF led administration violated human rights.

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: MP Mamombe, Activists Roughed Up By Lovers - Mutodi

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Zimbabwe: MP Mamombe, Activists Roughed Up By Lovers - Mutodi

[New Zimbabwe] Sacked Information Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi has made startling claims hospitalised MDC MP Joanna Mamombe and two female party activists were roughed up by their lovers who are illegal miners following an argument over payment of their "services" in foreign currency.

[khalilhumam]

Zimbabwe: Police to Press Charges Against Opposition MP Mamombe, Activists

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Zimbabwe: Police to Press Charges Against Opposition MP Mamombe, Activists

[New Zimbabwe] The government has revealed plans to press charges against hospitalised MDC Alliance MP, Joanna Mamombe and some party activists for allegedly staging an illegal demonstration and violating the country's lockdown regulations.