Media Roundtable Discussion
The Media Against Gender-Based Violence

Date: 30 November 2012-11-27
Time: 10am – 12pm
Venue: The Book Café, 139 Samora Machel Avenue cnr 6th Street

On November 30, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), in partnership with Pamberi Trust, presents a media roundtable discussion entitled: The Media Against Gender-Based Violence. The public is invited to attend this stimulating discussion, which will also be attended by significant, print, digital and broadcast media. The media have often been criticized for their erratic coverage of gender-based violence, and their focus on these issues has the potential to have a huge impact. The responsibility of the media in addressing these issues is encouraged to go beyond the 16 Days of November activism period. The goal for this event is to discuss the media’s role in shaping the discourse around this issue.

This discussion will be moderated by Pamberi Trust Information and Communications Projects Officer, Extra-Blessings Kuchera.

According to a statement issued by Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) today:

Seventy-nine members and two babies are under arrest at Bulawayo Central police station for staging a peaceful protest at the City Council Tower block on the water issue. A 16 year old girl was handcuffed for over an hour as they officer concerned could not locate the handcuff keys. Initially 150 members were arrested as police swooped but 70 were refused entry into the police station.

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So police stopped my husband and me after crossing Fourth Street along Herbet Chitepo for “failing to stop at an amber light”. The officer who pulled us over was unnecessarily aggressive right off the bat harshly telling us ‘green is a caution to stop so you’re not allowed to proceed on amber’. I wasn’t happy with his attitude and asked for his unit number, rank and name all of which he refused to give and asked us to pull over. Basically, the whole thing devolved into threats to open a docket and us argue our case in court simply because I asked for unit number, rank and name none of which were ever given to us. The second officer then diffused the situation and let us go but not after trying to open the front passenger door so he could let me out “so we could talk”. I locked my door, told him I’m pregnant and it’s hot so no thank you but I was stunned that he was so forward and intent to “talk” and I wasn’t even the driver. It was an aggravating situation to be in and the blatant abuse of power and manipulation (twisting facts and threatening us with court) had me reduced to tears. – Kubatana subscriber, Harare

Action: Get informed. According to the Highway Code, you must stop at an amber light, unless you are too close to the stop line that you cannot stop safely, in which case “the vehicle shall proceed subject to due precaution being taken.” According to the February 2012 Traffic Fine Schedule, the fine for proceeding against an amber light (where you could have stopped safely) is $10. You can get the Traffic Fine Schedule here

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A subscriber shared this information with us on current events in Europe:

Please pay some attention to the peaceful revolution that is taking place in Spain, France and elsewhere. 3000 people were teargassed in Paris yesterday outside the Bastille. It’s the first time in years people are waking up and in just 2 weeks the movement has already come up with proposals the politicians will have to listen to. There are meetings in the main squares which we are trying to decentralise into districts. People of all ages though a lot of young people. Small & large assemblies which are slow but give us all an idea of what a real democracy would be about. The international media are trying their best to ignore it. We want worldwide demonstrations & camps against inequality & lack of political representation of citizens worldwide. Date of reference is 15 May, next 15 June and there’s talk of trying to get a worldwide demonstration happening on 15 August.

- Here is a link to Plaza del Sol, Madrid
- Read more about these events here

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