The February 2022 edition of Heal Zimbabwe Trust’s community newsletter covers issues including communities engaging the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, how security sector reforms are key to the participation of youths in elections and voter mobilisation in Epworth. Read on!
Zaka CPC engages NPRC provincial peace committee to tackle political polarization
As part of efforts to build peaceful communities, a Community Peace Club (CPC) established by communities working with Heal Zimbabwe in Zaka ward 19 has made strides in addressing political polarisation which continues to derail social cohesion in the area. As part of a multi-sector stakeholder engagement, the CPC has engaged the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Provincial Peace committee in Masvingo in a bid to resolve local conflicts. The role of Provincial Peace committees is to contribute towards the promotion of peace through dialogue, mediation and conciliation of disputes among communities, individuals and groups. Peace Committees also implement programs necessary for the prevention of conflicts that are within the mandate of the NPRC. In terms of Section 252 of the constitution, the NPRC is mandated to ensure post conflict justice, healing and reconciliation.
Security sector reform key for effective youth participation in elections
Youths representatives drawn from students unions, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and political parties have underscored the need for security sector reforms to allow effective youth participation in elections. This came out during a Peace, Healing and Dialogue Series on Youth and Peaceful Electoral Participation conducted by Heal Zimbabwe on 27 January 2022.The panelists included Tawanda Mazango , from Lupane Youth for Development ,Benon Ncube, President of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and Citizens Coalition for Change Youth Assembly Deputy Spokes person,Womberai Nhende. Nhende highlighted that the Security services disregard fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens such as the right to petition and demonstrate that is exclusively provided for in Section 59 of the constitution.”The Security Sector has been responsible for most human rights since independence.
Heal Zimbabwe launches voter mobilisation campaign in Epworth
As part of advocating for peace ahead of the 26 March by elections, Heal Zimbabwe partnered artists from Epworth to mobilize citizens from Epworth to register and vote in peace. The artists who are part of Epworth Peace Movement (EPM) organised a cleanup campaign at Overspill shopping centre that was preceded by a peace concert on 29 March 2022. The cleanup campaign was attended by people from across the political divide as well as aspiring by elections. The objective of the activity was to encourage young people to register to vote and participate peacefully in electoral processes.
Read the full newsletter here (17MB PDF)
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
