Speak out: Katswe Sistahood encourages women

“We have been working with women in high density suburbs and tertiary institutions around the country,” said the National Coodinator, Rudo Chigudu, in an interview. She said women’s rights were being violated and they were dying because they were failing to speak out.

“We must speak about our sexuality freely. Women die because they are embarrassed to name their body parts at hospitals – yet these are life-saving issues. Some even fail so say no to sex because she is embarrassed to tell the partner – yet she will be feeling uncomfortable,” said Chigudu.

The organisation also aims to end violence against women by making sure the perpetrators are brought before the courts.

“We can only end rape if we can name our private parts confidently because in the court room one is expected to describe the act using this kind of language. The failure to do so is what stands between women and justice. Many cases have been left hanging because one is embarrassed to talk about it. Just saying I was raped is not enough as one is expected to graphically describe the act to the court,” she said.

Chigudu said they were using information gathered from Pachoto Meetings to produce theatre, dance and poetry. “Our meetings are private, giving women the platform to speak without anyone prying. But that is not enough. We take these concerns into the community in form of theatre. It is important that everyone knows what is happening so that they can influence policy makers. At times we engage members of the police and those from health institutions to attend our meetings and listen to women’s concerns,” she added.

But there is strong resistance from society in general, due to cultural and religious beliefs. “Some people simply refuse to participate in these conversations, saying its taboo, its westernised and cannot be discussed by women,” she said.

Formerly known as the Young Women’s Leadership Initiative, Katswe Sistahood was formed in 2007 to address the plight of women.