FORUMS

Wednesday 28 August, 2013: Women with Disability-Sexuality & Sensuality

The Book Café Gender Forum took place on the 28th of August hosting Marlene Le Roux, Director of Artscape Audience Development and Education Artistic Program(Capetown)  Soneni Gwizi(Radio Broadcaster, Gender & Disability Activist) chaired by Cleopatra Ndlovu(Gender Activist) The discussion set to interrogate issues that affect disabled women and how much advocacy is being done vis a vis what needs to be done in regards to the protection and promotion of the interests of disadvantaged and disabled women in Africa.

Issues raised included unfavourable policies and laws where women with disabilities are concerned, insensitive infrastructure, the silence(Marlene highlighted her encounter with disabled people who were locked up in their homes by family members and not allowed to leave the house), abuse of disabled women, maternal concerns, the need to empower the disabled so they are able to fend for themselves as being disabled in very costly.

The charisma and humour exuded by Marlene and Soneni was infectious, speaking to the fact that life does not end because one is disabled.  "The campaign about disability is not just about us born with disability, it's also about you can become disabled."

Other issues raised included the need for advocacy to teach the general populace who one day may find themselves disabled or bring forth a child that is disabled; demystification of  cultural perceptions regarding disability; portrayal of people with disabilities in the media.

The profound closing was, "Nothing about us without us."

The Book Cafe Gender Forum is a monthly discussion, targeting human rights activists, members of civic society, and members of the general public.  This month’s discussion was made possible by the Book Café Gender Forum in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
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Tue, 11 June, 2013

“CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS"

Issues Raised

 

• Causes of Cervical cancer as the HPV(Human PapilomaVirus), early sexual onset, multi-sexual partners increase the risk of infection with HIV which then may lead into Cervical Cancer.
• PAP Smear and the importance of early detection.
• Early treatment, testing and post positive diagnosis-counseling, facilities, the cervical cancer vaccine, HPV Vaccine
• Cultural fears and use of herbal medicine

The effects of mastectomy and hysterectomy and implications on marriages

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Thurs, 6 Dec, Book Cafe Gender Forum Discussion 

"Race, Gender, Identity"

Moderated by Isabella Matambanadzo with Roxanne 'Xapa" Mathazia & Akua Naru

Race, Gender, Identity: where do these three intersect? 

“I am an artist”

“I am a woman artist”

“I am a black woman artist.” 

History tells us that women in once colonized states suffered more compared to their male counterparts in that they were dealt a double sword with patriarchy as well as the hand of the colonizer, is this true?  How far does this go in as far as defining an individual?  Xapa unpacked by sharing her family history, a touching story of generational injustices that were dealt on black women then passed on to their children and children's children.  

Akua Naru, Isabella Matambanadzo & Roxane 'Xapa' Mathazia

 Xapa narrated the harrowing story of Saartjes Baartman, a Black domestic who, in 1808, left Southern Africa, then ruled by Dutch settlers, for Europe, following her boss Hendrick Caesar , hoping to find fame and fortune there. Once in London her master turned manager does nothing but exhibit her as a freak in a phony and humiliating carnival show. After a series of troubles caused by their act, Caesar, Saartje and their new friend, bear-tamer Réaux, head for Paris where once again, and against her will, she has to mimic savagery and expose her body, first in carnivals, then in the aristocratic salons of Paris, later on among the libertines and finally in brothels where she ends up being a prostitute. In the meantime, French anatomists will have taken an interest in her unusual anatomy (enormous buttocks and labia) only to declare her the missing link from ape to man. In 1815, aged only 27, she dies alone, of a combination of pneumonia and venereal disease.

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Wed 5 Dec, Film Screening of "POLYTECHIQUE" Canada 2009

Supported by the Embassy of Canada, this film is based on the true events that occurred on December 6, 1989 at Montreal's Polytechnique School of Engineering, when a young man entered the school with one idea in mind: to kill himself and take with him as may women as possible.  The screening was followed by a discussion moderated by Sally Dura which centered mostly on feminism and how the patriarchal society perceives it.

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Friday 30 Nov, DISCUSSION MEDIA AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

A roundtable discussion on 'Media against Gender Violence' was held at the Book Cafe.  Supported by Media Alliance of Zimbabwe in partnership with Pamberi Trust's gender project FLAME the discussion was attended by over 30 media practitioners among them Sharon Hudson Dean of the USPAS.  Unpacking the role of the media: what has been done and what should be done was Paidamoyo Veremu, lecturer in Mass Communication at the Harare Polytechnic.



The Book Café Gender Forum has been running since November 2009 bringing under discussion gender and women’s issues.  The Book Café Gender Forum was created by Pamberi Trust at The Book Café in Harare, aimed at contributing to initiatives of advancing gender equality and promoting women’s rights in Zimbabwe.

27 Oct 2011

‘Cancer Awareness in Zimbabwe’

Commemorating breast cancer awareness month

Speakers: Dr Nelson Ngwaru(Cancer Alliance Association) & Sally Dura

Attendance:25

17 Sept 2011,

‘Child Prostitution’

My thinking is that prostitution has always been there, the issue is why is it a concern now. It is a concern because we now have children selling their bodies for money which i call "child abuse" by those who pay. But the issue is why is this happening. It is happening because there is no political will by politicians to take care of these children. There are orphaned, they have nowhere to go, no-one to take care of them, they need money for food or just the food; therefore they sell their bodies to get these because that’s all they have. Now when we look at adult prostitution that’s a different issue. Some do it because they want to, some do it because it’s easy money and they do not want to work, some do it for the same reasons as the children who sell their bodies. So i suggest the issue of "Child Prostitution" be dealt with separately as it is totally different. On that note let me throw something out, how much will it cost the GVT to build a big orphanage in each town that will cater for these kids? How many diamonds will it take to save the lives of many.  Let’s think about it?”

Speakers: Karen Mutasa, Sally Dura

Attendance: 30

21 July 2011,

‘Unveiling the unspoken realities of women’s reproductive health’ -

What are the current trends of reproductive diseases affecting women in Zimbabwe? Are there institutions and mechanisms in place to inform and offer affordable and quality health care for women?  If they are there what strategies for improving knowledge, access and affordable quality health care for women have been put in place?

Speakers: Mrs Masiyiwa(WAG), Chaired by Sally Dura

Attendance: 75

16 March 2011, in partnership with Zimbabwe United States Allumni Association

‘Taking stock of milestones made and exploring new directions in women’s emancipation (the Zimbabwean Experience)’

Speakers: Hon Jessie Majome (Deputy Minister of Women and Gender), Ennie Laurah Mercy Ndoro (Deputy Director, Gender Centre, Women’s University in Africa), Lucy Mazingi (Director, Youth Empowerment and Transformation), Hon Sekai Holland (Minister of State inPM's Office responsible for National Healing), and Mcdonald Lewanika (Director, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

Attendance: 90

25 November 2010, “Creating DMZs – Everyone’s Responsibility”
Recently there were spurts of violence during constitution outreach meetings and soon in 2011 Zimbabwe is expected to go through the electoral process again. This comes too soon for a nation that is trying to heal from recent wounds. How can men and women help create safe and tolerant communities let alone be safe whilst at it in a politically volatile situation?
Speakers:Jonah Gokova(Crisis Coalition), Netty Musanhu(Msasa Project), Pelagia Razemba(Zimrights)

16 Sept, 2010, “HIV & Aids: The role of religion in addressing gender dynamics.”

There is now evidence that in Africa more females are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. However, most interventions have not addressed critical gender issues, for example, gendered and unfair division of labour, unequal access to resources including health care and services, women’s powerlessness, low social worth and inability to make decisions even about their bodies. How can religious leaders play their part in their spheres of influence to disseminate balanced information that can effect behaviour change in the communities they serve?  Are there religious practices that are discriminatory and detrimental to the fight against HIV & AIDS? 

Speakers - Sheik Mustafa Wasili(Muslim), Pastor S Muparutsa(Jubilee Christian Centre), Cleo Ndlovu. 33 people attended.

24 June, 2010, “What worth is a violent marriage that has normalized it across generations” Do women have other choices in life...is marriage the ultimate goal...why do they hold on even if their marriages are full of violence?  Speakers: Netty Musanhu(Musasa Project), Dorcas Makaza(Women Lawyers of Southern Africa), Nick Nembaware(PADARE)  - 70 attended.

29 Apr, 2010, “Is the involvement of men relevant in the struggle for gender struggles? Can issues of gender equity & equality be dealt with without referring to and involving men?  Is there a line at all between gender equity and Women’s rights? Speakers: Godfrey Nengomasha (Padare), Trevor Davies(African Fathers), Judith Chiyangwa(Gender Activist) - 70 attended.

9 Mar, 2010, “Zimbabwe Marriage Laws – What Women should know”

“Zimbabwe has two marriage laws: the Marriages Act [Chapter 5:11], and the Customary Marriages Act [Chapter 5:07]. Due to the dual system of customary and general law that is used in Zimbabwe, these types of marriages have been given different status by the law with negative consequences on women’s rights. In addition there is an Unregistered Customary Law Marriage which unlike the former two marriages, is not valid at law.  How many women in Zimbabwe know and understand these laws? What advantages are there in registered marriages?  “How are these women generally socialized or prepared for marriage?

Speakers: Catherine Makoni(Gender Activist), PrimroseMungwari(Zimbabwean  Women Lawyers for human Rights), poet & author Primrose Dzenga - 65 attended.

25 Feb, 2010, ‘Engendering the Constitution’ - the issue of representation in the thematic committees seems to be a bone of contention as Zimbabwe goes through the process of rewriting its constitution. Speakers: The Hon Ms Jessie Majome (Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal & Parliamentary Affairs), and Mr Macdonald Lewanika (Director, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition) - 70 attended.

28 Jan 2010, ‘Sisterhood Redefined: What can women do among themselves to work together in the face of many negative factors that pull them down, including societal, cultural and religious expectations?’  Speakers: Juliana Manjengwa (Gender Activist) and poet Roxanne ‘Xapa’ Mathazia - 45 attended.

15 Dec 2009, “Woman to Woman: for better Understanding”; Women performing artists are often perceived – by other women - to be dangerous competitors for the attention of men, and who purposefully set out to attract and seduce male audiences for their own benefit. Women artists who are single, single mothers and married women shared some of their experiences to bring light to the situation and make a start towards better understanding between women of Zimbabwe in 2010.

Speakers:Roxanne Mathazia, Larry Kwirirayi, Carmen Hwarari, Zanele Manhenga, Nonku Vundla. – 55 attended

19 Nov 2009,  “Women Defeating the Odds of Violence”: In line with the ‘16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women’ campaign the discussion focused on issues around gender-based violence in Zimbabwe, particularly on how women have survived violence and picked up their lives. 

Speakers: Thoko Matshe(Feminist), musician/bandleader Edith Katiji, chaired by Sally Dura. – 45 attended