Democracy advocates have strongly condemned the targeted harassment of a leading civil society organization, Institute for Young Women Development (IYWD), by Zimbabwean state actors.
On March 4, just days before the country celebrates International Women’s Day, the offices of IYWD were broken into. Although no one was harmed, the World Movement for Democracy expressed serious concern for the safety and security of the staff and the organization’s constituency, which is comprised mainly of young women:
The recent break-in follows repeated disruptions of IYWD’s work by government supporters, as well as threats of violence against the communities that IYWD serves. Furthermore, IYWD has been accused of collusion with the political opposition, and there is a strong possibility that IYWD will continue to be a target of state actors following recent visits and inquiries from state security agents. IYWD is led by Steering Committee member, Glanis Changachirere(above). The story of Glanis and IYWD is documented in the film Girl Child.
“We strongly urge the government of Zimbabwe to condemn the targeted harassment of civil society in the country and do all in its power to ease political and social tensions in the country,” the movement added.
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Message to Govt of #Zimbabwe – End harassment against civil society and support @GIforYouth!
