The global pandemic Covid-19 has led to a significant increase in restrictions on the freedom of movement of people worldwide, exclusion of women in shaping and influencing the response strategies has further eroded human rights and the rule of law.
As the Corona Virus continue to impact on the world, story headlines in newspapers and online on the impact of Covid-19 continue to be general leaving out the experiences of women and girls of reproductive age.For example, of interest to the experiences of women & girls in Zimbabwe, evidence is showing that Gender Based Violence cases spiked due to the imposed lockdowns. Their voices are not heard as they remain locked in the same place with the perpetrator which shows the gendered impact of Covid-19.
Despite the increase in human rights abuses against journalists and human rights activists who have been speaking against various issues including accountability and transparency on Covid-19 resources, women and girls voices are in the peripherals.
The pandemic also defined a new global order of the power and opportunities of the digital world where business, engagements and development activities are now being held.
The harassment and attacks both on and offline was amplified further during the pandemic and it is currently a new normal.
Women constitute 62% of the world population, but they continue to suffer from undelivered democracy, they are at times punished for speaking out, denied access to freely express themselves on platforms such as the state media,
Freedom of expression and access to media is a critical component of democracy and achieving human rights, it allows citizens to hold the duty bearers and responsible authorities accountable and influence gender sensitive implementation of policies.
The Absence of women’s voices from broader development and human rights issues in the media and press is denial of their human rights specifically freedom of speech.
It is because of the above background that Tag a Life International in partnership with the Czech Republic embarked on a 4 day Citizen Journalism training.
The My Voice, Power and Freedom Project will allow society to shape its own narrative. Participation of women and girls in media is a basic requirement in shaping the Zimbabwe we all want.
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