InFocus

Ending Stateless: Bulawayo Podcast.

Episode 2 of the Women's Voices Matter radio show segment themed Beyond the Ballot: Telling the success stories of women Councilors dedicated to highlighting the voices and visions of newly elected female Councilors elected through Proportional Representation. 

Supported by: Hivos and Irish Embassy.

The Women's Voices Matter Radio Show's segment titled Beyond the Ballot: Telling women councilors success stories seeks to give newly elected women councilors a platform to share their visions, challenges and aspirations, mapping a path beyond the ballot.

Supported by Hivos and Irish Embassy.

Tells the story of a woman who volunteered to empower and encourage young people to register to vote. Further educates young people on the importance of voting although facing a lot of negativity from her friends who seem not to care due to voter apathy.

Demonstrates how young people are used in the political sector as they are abused and given tokenistic positions. It also further encourages men in upper ranks not to exploit and abuse young women.

A young woman breaks the barriers as she has been the first selected female president. The radio drama also depicts how  cyber bullying comes into play to further intimidate, shame and defame elected young women.

A woman is eager to attend a meeting on electoral processes however her husband tells her to go back. This shows the patriarchal norms that still in exist in some parts of Zimbabwe hindering women from practicing their rights.

This episode portrays how patriarchal norms still exist women still have to ask their husbands to compete for the Member of Parliament positions.

In this episode, listen to young women as they discuss the challenges faced by women in the electoral processes

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is facilitating a Mobile Voter Registration Exercise that seeks to ensure citizens are registered to vote in preparation of the 2023 Harmonised elections. Phase one of the Blitz began on the 1st of February and is slated to close on the 28th of February. The second phase of the Blitz begins on the 11th of April and draws to a close on the 30th of April. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are also working in communities through carrying out voter education about the BVR Blitz and demystifying possible myths associated with voter registration. Throughout the first week of voter education, observations made included low turnout of people who went out to register to vote and voter apathy among the youths. In some communities visited, youths do not feel the need to participate and register to vote as it is said to be a process that hardly benefits them. 

As a result, WILD conducted a radio show aimed at raising awareness on the ongoing BVR Blitz. In this show, we feature Busi Masina, who has been mobilising youths to register to vote who highlights how voter apathy is negatively impacting voter registration. Two ZEC officials speak of the BVR Blitz, from the motive behind decentralising. During the show they urge communities to take advantage of the ongoing BVR Blitz by ensuring they register to vote. 

Since the Mobile Biometric Voter Registration Blitz started, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been monitoring the situation that is taking place at various registration centres. Key in the observations made is the importance of having young women spearheading this voter registration drive. It is in this light that Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) conducted a radio program (which has been compressed in this audio) so as to shed light of the current Biometric Voter Registration Blitz. The show features a young woman from Pumula, Latoya Maseko, who has been actively involved in the work that WILD has been conducting in partnership with Amagugu International Heritage Centre. The Executive Director from The Girls Table, Samkeliso Tshuma highlights the role played by like minded organisations in the BVR Blitz. #RegisterToVoteZW #YourVoteIsYourRight #EkhayaVote2023

Tune in and listen as SkyzMetro FM shares information on the film screening that was conducted by WILD and CITE.

Florence Ndhlovu, a Human Rights and Governance Consultant makes her contributions during the Her Vote Speaks Radio Show, highlighting the need for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to raise awareness on the delimitation exercise as the repercussions will have adverse effects on the development of Bulawayo. She further states that delimitation grants citizens power to decide on the number of Constituencies in an area, using statistics on the number of registered voters. 

Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) Field Officer, Ndodana Ndhlovu shares his understanding of the delimitation process during an edition of the Her Vote Speaks Radio Show that was facilitated by Women's Institute for Leadership Development (WILD). As he presents, he shares the possibilities that may arise if citizens do not actively play their role and register to vote so as to save six Constituencies that are likely going to be lost during the delimitation exercise. 

Women in Bulawayo have highlighted that the recalling of office bearers should only be done to non-performing public office holders after due process of establishing that they have not been performing.

The programme was graced by Honourable Sichelesile Mahlangu who is the Member of Parliament for Pumula Constituency and Thembelihle Sibanda who is a mentee under the WILD Leadership School. Mahlangu is also a mentor under the WILD Leadership School.

Online bullying and cyber harrassment have become synonymous with social media and law experts have encouraged women to report cyberharrassment so as to preserve and protect their dignity.

The Radio Programme was graced by Dr Samukeliso Sibanda who is a Lawyer and research Consultant and Lezina Mohamed who is an aspiring candidate and a mentee under the WILD Leadership school.

Paula Phiri shares information on investment opportunities that informal traders can take advantage of. 

Women's Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) continues disseminating information on COVID-19 to communities through reaching out to medical personnel for discussions on the respiratory disease. In this episode, we are joined by a Medical Doctor, Dr Tawana Khupe and Emmanuel Marozva a Medical Laboratory Scientist who share knowledge on the COVID-19 variant. 

Join three women as they talk about their leadership journey and share stories on leadership.

Citizens should be cautious of the possibility of transmitting COVID-19 when sharing the same household utensils. Dr Sharon Mugayi cites that families should be cautious whenever they decide to steam and desist from sharing the same bucket and water as it may result in the spread of the disease. Mugayi highlights although communities are convinced that steaming plays a fundamental role in treating COVID-19, there is no scientific evidence that steaming can treat the respiratory infection.  Dr Mugayi alludes to steaming being used as a traditional method that was used to treat colds and flues. In the audio, Dr Mugayi encourages the community to properly wear their masks and cover the mouth and the nose to avoid the spread of the disease. Dr Mugayi advises the community to use re-usable cloth masks as they are easier to keep clean as opposed to re-using surgical masks. #COVID19 #COVID20 #MaskUpZim

Deep Rooted Scars comes to a conclusion with words of encouragement to practice good hygiene in light of COVID-19. Julia's husband is now placed under a ventilator as his condition is worsening. Jabu is deported from South Africa as a result of COVID-19. The episode takes us through effects that arise from being exposed to VUZU parties. Luba's friend suspects that she may have been raped at the party that she attended after having been drugged. In fear and panic, Luba's friend is reluctant to report the instance of sexual abuse that she experienced, however NaJabu finds out about the issue at hand. NaJabu prepares to report to the police as she feels that justice ought to be served on behalf of her daughter's friend. #ENDGBV #MaskUpZim #StaySafe

Episode 4 of Deep-Rooted Scars interrogates the link that exists between GBV and global pandemics such as COVID-19. As the story unfolds, Julia's husband tests positive to the respiratory disease and his absence in his home brings relief to Julia as she is often trying to find peace in the ever-violent environment that she resides in. Luba, NaJabu's daughter snubs an invitation to attend a VUZU party at the time of the COVID-19 lockdown. Luba, encourages her friend to be careful at the party as a lot of unruly behaviour is common at VUZU parties with several girls being victim to sexual abuse and date rape. The message that is mainly showcased throughout the episode is to demystify myths that are associated with COVID-19 #ENDGBV #MaskUpZim #StaySafe

In episode three, Julia experiences trauma as her husband chooses to defy lockdown regulations and gets home way after midnight. Julia's husband fails to show respect to his wife but instead continues to demean his wife. In some instances, Julia's husband physically assaults his wife for confronting him about his whereabouts. As the story unfolds, Julia's husband starts exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms as he has a difficulty breathing, begins to cough, develops a fever and exhaustion. Sadly, one of SaJabu's friends succumbs to COVID-19, and his wife advises him against paying his last respects to his deceased friend. Julia's husband is later driven off by the COVID-19 rapid response team due to the symptoms of the respiratory disease. Remember to mask up at all times and to wash your hands frequently #ENDGBV #MaskupZim #StaySafe

In episode two, we continue exploring the lives of the two families that are trying to adapt to the new normal that has emerged as a result of the respiratory disease, COVID-19. In this episode, we get to understand how it is not easy for women to report cases of GBV they may be exposed to due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown. NaJabu, who is from the peaceful family is friends with Julia who is clutched deep in the claws of GBV that she experiences from her spouse. NaJabu tries to encourage Julia to report her husband lest the worst happens as a result of the continued physical and verbal abuse. However, Julia is against reporting the matter to the police because of fear. The episode also mirrors the effects of COVID-19 as it depicts how Julia's husband has been retrenched. The episode further helps us understand that in order for us to flatten the COVID-19 curve we need to adhere to the precautionary measures that have been put in place. Remember to mask up at all times and to maintain social distancing. #ENDGBV #MaskUpZim #StaySafe

This episode is from the COVID-19 and GBV Series (Deep Rooted Scars) which captures the ills of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at a time when Zimbabwe is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases. The drama demonstrates how women and girls are often soft targets to abusers especially during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. The episode allows us to walk into the lives of two contrasting families. One family represents a closely knit union between wife and husband and showcases a home that is filled with love, joy, peace and respect. The second family on the other hand is the exact opposite as it represents a household that lacks harmony, love, respect and understanding. The second family is characterised by outrageous acts of physical violence, inter-partner abuse, emotional and verbal abuse.  This episode is one of five episodes in this series. #ENDGBV #MaskUpZim #StaySafe

This episode narrates the challenges related to covid-19 and gender based violence.

This is a radio drama that demonstrates the different scenarios where gender-based violence takes place. the skit also shares information about covid-19. The skit is produced through a partnership with Intwasa Arts, Victory Siyanqoba and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. 

Discussing gender mainstreaming by local authorities (Umzingwane and KRDC)

Speakers: Sifiso Hadebe - Kusile RDC 

                   Hayi Mpofu - Umzingwane RDC

Presenter - Bridgette Ndlovu

Speakers: Dr Ruth Labode - Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Childcare

                  Dr Bekezela Ndlovu - Senior Resident Medical Doctor 

                  Janah Ncube - Iam4Byo Fighting Covid-19 Trustee