"Love is Caring"

“Documentation and Public dialogue an important route to address Violence against Women”

“Documentation and Public dialogue an important route to address Violence against Women”

Emmanuel Manyati

A short film 'MARGINALIZED WOMEN IN JEOPARDY' was screened at17:30 at the Alliance France in Harare during the Women Arts Festival (WAFEST) by Young Voices Network.

 The film by Emmanuel Manyati gives an account of the incredible gender-based atrocities experienced by women and girls in Hoyuyu Resettlement areas of Mutoko, the area breaks the record on rape cases and child marriages in Zimbabwe.In that film, a traditional chief openly draws a red line against gender equality.

Violence against women is an obstacle to the achievement of objectives of equality, development, and peace. It violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedom. The long-standing failure to protect and promote those rights and freedom in the case of violence against women is a matter of concern. 

Most cases of violence against women in Mutoko derives essentially from cultural patterns, in particular, the harmful effects of certain traditional or customary practices. Lack of or inadequate documentation and research on domestic violence, sexual harassment, and violence against women in private and in public, impede efforts to design specific intervention strategies. In addressing violence against women, governments and other actors should promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programs so that before decisions are taken an analysis may be made of their effects on women and men, respectively. 

In an interview with this writer, Emanuel explains more about his short film and what pushed him to come up with this film. "Tradition should be a guide not a jailer", he said. Globally many countries are willing to change, having signed the 1979 UN Convention on the elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women and, more recently 2000, the UN millennium goal of empowering women and combating discrimination. Helping countries improve gender equality and ending violence against women is not only important but an international commitment as well. 

There is need to start investing in better information and high-quality data. Providing forums to reveal people's experiences with local customs and laws will have important effects, it will help improve the information that is available on the situation of women around the world. It is important to foster dialogue with the public to promote Gender Equality and address gender-based Violence.

By Abel Mavura

ICT For Girls And Women Empowerment

ICT For Girls And Women Empowerment

"Vision Commitment and Action for Young Women Empowerment"

||James Suriwiecki (2004) argued that it is often the case that the many are smarter than the few.||

 I had an interactive planning process to enable diverse of views from selected potential leaders of the Young Urban Women Project (Movement) Ghana a project by Action Aid Ghana, NORSAAC and The Ark Foundation which has 2000 young women selected from Greater Accra and Tamale the Northen Region. The Project is also being implemented in India and South Africa under the theme of "Young Women's Life choices and livelihoods in Poor Urban Areas"
Action Aid is currently implementing this project with a focus on young women's economic rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights in these cities. The research and experience gained through a baseline study that was conducted reaffirm the need for an integrated approach to working with young women.

The objectives of the meeting were to get the whole system in the room for vision, commitment, and Action, coming up with a strategic plan, identify opportunities, strengths, weaknesses, and threats of the movement.

I also managed to apply the Future Search Model to review the past experiences of the project since 2013 from different perspectives, we mapped the present and identified common ground and developed action plans for the Movement, the model helped us to identify the KEEPS, DROPS, PROUD and SORRIES of the project which will guide the movement on its work.

The young women contributed on the objectives of the movement, Aim, vision, areas of focus/ issues to be considered by the movement, Leadership and membership structures that they want for their movement, key thematic areas to be campaigned and advocated for with much emphasis on mainstreaming of HRBA since it encourages strategies that are empowering, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and using in synergy of both top-down and bottom approaches .
Their effective participation made the process easy to undertake, besides inspiring them I am also inspired.
It is important to note that forums for building capacities of young women to take leadership at the individual and collective level for economic and social empowerment are crucial to have a committed number of women to lead the way to change attitudes, behaviors, and policies around gender, violence against women, reproductive health and rights and leadership. BY ABEL MAVURA

A presentation on Group's purpose "Bashari"

Young Urban Women during group discussion on the Movement

Young women capturing views and contributions in groups for presentation

Abel Mavura and Young Urban Women Movement Leaders

Future search Model presentation by Abel Mavura

Ending Corruption Anas Aremeyaw Anas By STRIVE MASIWA

Ending Corruption Anas Aremeyaw Anas  By STRIVE MASIWA

__Ending corruption: It only takes one brave person.
Sometimes just one person trying to do the right thing can change the course of history.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas of Ghana is an undercover investigative journalist with a focus on exposing corruption, exploitation and human rights abuses. Last month his work changed the course of Ghanaian history when he released an anti-corruption film called Ghana in the Eyes of God, Epic of Injustice.
“The most powerful weapon against corruption is transparency and exposure,” says Anas, who was born in the late 1970s and first trained as a lawyer. He says the aim of his life’s work is to “name, shame and jail” people who hurt others and break the law.
Released in late September, Anas’ new three-hour documentary has led to the shocking suspension of seven of Ghana’s 12 High Court judges and 22 lower court judges who were secretly filmed in an alleged judicial bribery and corruption scandal which Anas investigated for about two years.
Money, sex, yams and even a goat were among the alleged pay-offs. In exchange, many robbers, murderers, drug dealers, rapists and others allegedly received shortened sentences or went free.
Anas notably works undercover, usually wearing disguises and pretending to engage with “bad people” who he then tries to film committing crimes.
__People rarely see his face. Even when he gives public talks about his work or receives awards, he hides it.
Could corruption charges against these judicial officials be true?
Ghanaians are now waiting for rule of law to take its course -- for all parties concerned. What seems to have come to light through Anas’ brave undercover work is 500 hours of raw footage of judicial corruption in action, allegedly involving some 180 judicial officials – judges, magistrates, court clerks, policemen, state attorneys and bail contractors!
In trying to block the screening of Anas’ whistle-blowing film, one High Court judge ironically argued that showing the film “brings the authority and administration of the law into disrespect and disrepute…”
Each of the seven implicated high court judges has been give a week between now and 11 December to appear before a special Chief Justice Committee. Anas will also appear for cross-examination, and some defendants have demanded that he remove his disguise when in court.
___The five-member Committee has contended this week that Anas is protected by the Whistle Blower’s Act. As such, he must not be unmasked and is also covered by immunity.
While not his first choice, Anas says he believes working in disguise is necessary, given the powerful and sometimes dangerous subjects of his investigations.
Acknowledging his own fear and the hazards of doing the work he does, Anas advises, “You’ve got to take intelligent decisions… If you don’t, you will end up losing your life.” (He usually works with a backup team of private investigators).
Notwithstanding the risks, Anas says he and all professional journalists have the responsibility to keep the public informed about activities affecting the health of their democracies, and their own personal lives. Colleagues say his work is driven by the belief that it is corruption that is holding Africa back.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, I salute you.
Image Credit: TED Conference

After being inspired & trained on how to utilize Social Media for Advocacy and Campaigns it's good to see young women taking the lead on social media platforms discussing issues pertaining their development ‪#‎SRHR‬ ‪#‎UnpaidCareWork‬ , ‪#‎DecentWork‬, ‪#‎ViolenceAgainstWomen‬ Let's give them the chance to say out their concerns, To have their views ‪#‎WomenCanDoIt‬!!
Social Media can be used to expand opportunities for women they can take advantage of these social forums to get things done.

The twitter hashtag function in particular allows women to easily follow issues that matter to them and forge coalitions based upon shared concerns, from immediate personal needs to calls for large scale social change.
Women who were formerly isolated can now access high profile players in their field of interest and conversely, build accessible visible platform for self promotion, they can self publish through these platforms.
Women can build networks of support that counteract the negative systems and structures of the past that undermines their development . Lets Support Women - ‪#‎AbelMavura‬

When we talk about trade between African nations or our communities, you may have an image of men in smart suits selling manufactured goods and services. This is not really the case. In fact, regional integration on the continent and at the national level is being led by resourceful African women crossing the borders in droves to open up trade routes and spaces for their products.

It is high time we need to start to respect Women because they are the powerful drivers of the economy and development. Matilda Amoah is one of the Young Urban Women's Project member a project by Action Aid Ghana in partnership with The Ark Foundation in Greater Accra Region and NORSAAC in the northern region, Matilda has acquired skills through YUWProject she is now able to make a lot of beautiful and quality products through the YUW Livelihoods support project.

In a recent interview with Matilda she couldn't hide her joy, she says she was very excited to be part of this life-changing project which has made her realize some of the skills which are now enabling her to earn a living and continue to support her family and siblings. she also highlighted some of the challenges that they face as Petty Traders which ranges from space, market to licensing of their small businesses. Despite all these challenges she strongly believes that women have the potential to sustain the economy and development from the community up to national level.

 It is number one Young Urban Women's Project outcome to have at least 2000 young women with safe and decent work and livelihoods, also exercising greater control over their income These are some of the samples of the products that Matilda Amoah makes .. you can support her business by buying or marketing- through her business call number +233 24 567 7703 ‪#

By Abel Mavura for YUWP

According to the UN food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome , women are responsible for at least 50 percent of all food production. they struggle to meet the most basic needs of the their families for food, water, firewood,clothes, health care n a home. In theory this should mean that women are becoming better off , liberated, equal. but in practice it is a different story. These two women were recently captured in Mutoko District Mashonaland East Province, struggling to meet the needs of the family by doing hard work all the day receiving small amount of money to but soap and pay school fees for the kids. this is the kind of work that they are doing, striving to meet the family demands and usually they receive small amount of money which doesn't tally with the labor they provide . After this hard work they go back home to do the house chores which includes; cleaning, washing, fetching water, fetching firewood, as well as child care, elderly care and care of persons with disabilities without male support. Its high time we recognise unpaid care work as a major human rights issue, Policies must recognize the role of women and girls in the provision of unpaid care work , reduce the drudgery of unpaid care by redistributing from women to men and from family to communities and the government . That is Equality ‪#‎letsempowerwomen‬

Meet the IIG 40 Under 30 Emerging Zimbabwean leaders class of 2015. Check 3-mob.com EXCLUSIVE: Infinite inspiration Group (IIG) 40 under 30 emerging leaders is an annual list of 40 emerging Zimbabwean leaders who are 30 years old or below. The list has been complied by Infinite Inspiration Group. A Harare based Leadership and Motivation Company. The purpose of the list according to Simbarashe Nyamadzawo, Inspirational speaker and Author who is the founder of IIG is to formally recognise, acknowledge and celebrate 40 emerging leaders who are under 30. “  As an organization we have decided to acknowledge,honor and celebrate some of the young game changers, thought- leaders,opinion shapers,movers and shakers.We hope the list will challenge and inspire other young people to emulate and learn one or two from the listed contemporaries.” Nyamadzawo explains below how they came up with the names. METHODOLOGY This list is not exhaustive. It is a sample list. It comprises of individuals born after 31 December 1984 and doing remarkable, notable or unique things in any of the following categories: entrepreneurship inspiration, arts, law, sports, education, medicine, media, and technology The names were drawn from a wide range of networks that work closely with youths in the above mentioned categories. We do appreciate that there are a lot of young people doing remarkable things across the nation but for the purpose of the list we decided to limit the number to 40 leaders only. Those who have been listed this year will not be listed again in the following years. This list is arranged in alphabetical order. Meet the IIG 40 UNDER 3O EMERGING LEADERS class of 2015. Name Credentials Organization 1)Abel Mavura Solution bearer/ Activist MAYO Zimbabwe 2)Acie Lumumba Patriot/ Politician Zimbabwe Youth Council 3)Adoration Bizure Filmmaker/ Journalist H-Metro 4)Anoziva Marindire Blogger/ Opinion shaper Paradoka 5)Advocate Arthur Marara Attorney/Author/Speaker Greatness Factory Trust 6)Caroline Munemo Entrepreneur Sterile Hygienic Services 7)Charles Manyuchi Boxer 8)Dalamuzi Mhlanga Solution bearer/ Academic/ Speaker Lead Us Today 9)Doc Vikela (Victor Mpofu) Entertainer/ Comedian Simuka Comedy 10)Elizabeth Masiyiwa Solution bearer Simba Education Advocate 11)FadzayiMahere Advocate /Lecturer Advocate Chambers 12)Gilbert Eugene Peters Creative Entrepreneur Spidex Media 13)JahPrayzah (MukudzeyiMukombe) Entertainer/Singer/Brand Third Generation 14)Joseph Madziyire Artist/ Entrepreneur ZimPraise 15)KVG ( Kudzai Violet Gwara) Radio Presenter Star FM 16)Lisa Chiriseri Solution bearer F.A.C.E.Z 17)Maud Chifamba Historymaker/ Student University of Zimbabwe 18)Mike Kamungeremu Business leader Tendo Electronics 19)Prophet Passion Java Prophet Passion Java Ministries 20)Dr. PatsonDzamara Global Shaper/ Author/ Speaker/Academic Leadership & Development Institute/ World Economic Forum- Harare Hub 21)Dr Praise Tapiwa Magama Physician/entrepreneur/ Filmmaker TaSimba Film & Arts 22) Primrose Chakuchichi EMPRETECO/Entrepreneur Continental Beverages 23) Rinos Mautsa Serial Entrepreneur/ Visionary/Collaborator / Global Shaper Various including World Economic Forum-Harare Hub 24) IM Rodwell Makoto (2403) International Master-Chess player Zimbabwe Chess Federation 25) Rumbi Chigova Socialite / Entrepreneur Designer closet 26) Rumbidzai Takawira News Anchor ZBC 27) RuvhenekoParirenyatwa Brand/ Media Personality/ Activist/MC Zi FM Stereo 28)SamuelleDimairho Pioneer/ Innovator/ Entrepreneur Chengetedzai Depository Company Limited 29)TafadzwaMakura Pioneer/ Innovator/ Entrepreneur Mazwi Shop 30)TakundaChingonzo EMPRETECO/ Entrepreneur/ Pioneer/ Innovator Neolab Technology 31)TarironeGitare (TariroRuzvidzo) Guitarist/Singer/ Songwriter 32)Ted Courage Lazaro Producer/Director/ Entrepreneur Christ TV 33)Tendai Maduwa Actor/Poet/Author Awake Zimbabwe Trust 34)TinasheNyaruwanga Opinion Shaper/ blogger / Marketer tinashenyaruwanga.com 35)Tinotenda Matiyenga Athlete/ Student Prince Edward School 36)Tommy Deuschle Solution bearer/ Entrepreneur Emerging Ideas-Pitch Night 37)Tonderai Rutsito Opinion Shaper/ Writer technomag.co.zw 38)Walter Chimene Phenomenal speaker Eloquent solutions 39)Winstone Antonio Journalist Alpha Media-Newsday 40)ZororoMakamba Media Personality Tonight with Zororo

Young people at core of post-2015 agenda (JORDAN TIMES) | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Young people at core of post-2015 agenda (JORDAN TIMES) | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

IIG 40 Under 30 Emerging Zimbabwean Leaders 2015

IIG 40 Under 30 Emerging Zimbabwean Leaders 2015

Are you struggling to find direction? Here are some tips DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH FINDING DIRECTION AND EXPRESSING EMOTIONS? •Try new activities when you have the opportunity. You may find a natural talent you never knew you had! •Encourage yourself by thinking positively instead of negatively. For example, say to yourself, ‘I am courageous, ‘I am beautiful’ or ‘I can do this.’ •Find friends and mentors who support you to develop your talents. Friends can build your self-confidence by encouraging you to keep trying even when you feel down. They also notice when you do well and celebrate with you. Surround yourself with positive friends who encourage you. •Everyone going through puberty feels strong emotions. When you are feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, it can help to take deep breaths, to do something active like dance or take a walk (if it’s safe), or to find a trusted person to talk to.

Why study hard? Because it gives you a brighter future •Sometimes school can be challenging, and it can be hard to keep up with so many different subjects. But know that a broad knowledge base will help when you go into the world to pursue your dreams. •If you are not in school, find a training program or a person that will help you learn a skill and reach your goals. Find a role model – someone you look up to, a teacher or even a parent. Ask for help and inspiration along the way. •A goal is something that you personally want to achieve. It is so important to find your goals in life. This way, you can create a plan to work toward these goals. Keep a notebook with you so that you can write down your dreams and goals in one place. Keep checking your progress on them. •Set goals that will keep you motivated and focused on your schoolwork or training. Do you want to pass? Be top of the class? Or improve your marks? Write it down and read it often.

This is one of the SADDEST stories ever told in Hollywood. His name is Sylvestar Stallone. One of the BIGGEST and Most famous American Movie superstars. Back in the day, Stallone was a struggling actor in every definition. At some point, he got so broke that he stole his wife's jewellery and sold it. Things got so bad that he even ended up homeless. Yes, he slept at the New York bus station for 3 days. Unable to pay rent or afford food. His lowest point came when he tried to sell his dog at the liquor store to any stranger. He didn't have money to feed the dog anymore. He sold it at $25 only. He says he walked away crying. Two weeks later,he saw a boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Chuck Wepner and that match gave him the inspiration to write the script for the famous movie,ROCKY. He wrote the script for 20 hours! He tried to sell it and got an offer for $125,000 for the script. But he had just ONE REQUEST. He wanted to STAR in the movie. He wanted to be the MAIN ACTOR. Rocky himself. But the studio said NO. They wanted a REAL STAR. They said he "Looked funny and talked funny". He left with his script. A few weeks later,the studio offered him $250,000 for the script. He refused. They even offered $350,000. He still refused. They wanted his movie. But NOT him. He said NO. He had to be IN THAT MOVIE. After a while,the studio agreed,gave him $35,000 for the script and let him star in it! The rest is history! The movie won Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Film Editing at the prestigious Oscar Awards. He was even nominated for BEST ACTOR! The Movie ROCKY was even inducted into the American National Film Registry as one of the greatest movies ever! And do You know the first thing he bought with the $35,000? THE DOG HE SOLD. Yes,Stallone LOVED HIS DOG SO MUCH that he stood at the liquor store for 3 days waiting for the man he sold his dog to. And on the 3rd day,he saw the man coming with the dog. Stallone explained why he sold the dog and begged for the dog back. The man refused. Stallone offered him $100. The man refused. He offered him $500. And the guy refused. Yes,he refused even $1000. And,Believe it or Not,Stallone had to pay $15,000 for the same,same dog he sold at $25 only! And he finally got his dog back! And today,the same Stallone who slept in the streets and sold his dog JUST BECAUSE he couldn't even feed it anymore,is one of the GREATEST Movie Stars who ever walked the Earth! Being broke is BAD. Really BAD. Have You ever had a dream? A wonderful dream? But You are too broke to implement it? Too tiny to do it? Too small to accomplish it? Damn! I've been there too many times! Life is tough. Opportunities will pass you by,just because you are a NOBODY. People will want your products but NOT YOU. Its a tough world. If you ain't already famous, or rich or "connected", You will find it rough. Doors will be shut on You. People will steal your glory and crash your hopes. You will push and push. And yet NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. And then your hopes will be crashed. You will be broke. Damn broke. You will do odd jobs for survival. You will be unable to feed yourself. And Yes, you may end up sleeping in the streets. It happens. Yes, it does. BUT NEVER LET THEM CRUSH THAT DREAM. Whatever happens to You, Keep Dreaming. Even when they crush your hopes, Keep Dreaming. Even when they turn you away, Keep Dreaming. Even when they shut you down, Keep Dreaming. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EXCEPT YOURSELF! People will judge You by HOW you look. And by WHAT You have. But please, Fight on! Fight for Your place in history. Fight for your glory. NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Even if it means selling all your clothes and sleeping with the dogs, ITS OKAY! But AS LONG AS YOU ARE STILL ALIVE, Your STORY IS NOT OVER. TRUST ME. Keep Up the Fight. Keep your dreams and hope alive. Go great .

Training Young Women Platform Leaders in Tamale Ghana on how to use Social media to enhance their campaigns and Advocacy work . I really enjoy working with these committed young women their zeal for work motivates me and 6 hours is like 30 minutes to me .. All in the name of empowerment helping them to realize their full potential .. They will and they Can just give them the space .

The Blizzard

Community Builders to become world changers

UNPAID CARE WORK Keeping girls out of School

SA dominates in Times Higher Education rankings | Education | M&G

SA dominates in Times Higher Education rankings | Education | M&G

This year the theme for the Day of the African Child was Ending Child Marriages me and my team we have managed to hold some discussions on Ending child marriages in Kpobiman Ghana

Social Media Literacy Training: Module 1

Empowering Young women to reach their full potential

Corruption has alarmingly increased in the region endangering the lives of its youthful population. Not only has it affected social service delivery but has contributed to the manifestation of related social ills. The recent attacks of foreigners by South African nationals is a regrettable indication of a society struggling to adjust to social demands of not only its citizenry but migrants who are fleeing unfavorable conditions in their own countries. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are equal in rights and equal in dignity. As a movement of young people we note with grave concern the manner in which persons of African origin have been brutalized, burned, killed, harassed and persecuted in various places within South Africa. We call upon the South African authorities to not only deal with this matter as an emergency but also to address the socio-economic freedoms accorded to all persons in various Human Rights Treaties of which South Africa is a signatory to. These attacks of an Afrophobic nature are a major drawback towards regional efforts on regional integration and we urge SADC and the AU to act swiftly to protect the rights of both legal and illegal immigrants living in South Africa. We note the technical challenges that may be presented in this scenario however we urge that there be a swift response to the mayhem. As the Southern Africa Youth Movement in Zimbabwe we continue to call for a violence free society where all human beings are treated with dignity regardless of ethnic background, nationality, race, sex, religion and political affiliation . Let’s all unite for a civilized ,corrupt free, violence free and tolerant democracies in the region! Abasha Afrophobia Abasha!!! - South Africa Youth Movement-