Sitabile Dewa

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Sitabile Dewa , often Stabile Dewa , (* 1984 or 1985) is a Zimbabwean activist for democracy and women's rights .

Career

Dewa studied at the University of Zimbabwe , where he earned a Masters in International Relations . Already during her studies she was involved in student movements and took part in campaigns that advocate freedom of teaching and the improvement of study conditions. She was also one of the activists who took to the streets against President Robert Mugabe in November 2018 and ultimately contributed to the retreat of the former dictator .

After completing her studies, she worked for the Heal Zimbabwe Trust, a non-governmental organization that works for non-violent conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Zimbabwe. At first she worked there as a manager for communication and research, later she took over the function of the deputy director. In 2018, she founded the Women's Academy for Leadership Excellence (WALPE) in Masvingo , a university for women striving for a career in politics. Dewa has been managing director since it was founded. Her goal is a significant increase in the proportion of women in the national elections in 2023. Although Zimbabwe has a quota for women in the House of Assembly , the proportion of women elected fell significantly in the last election and is only 12.4% above that of the Quota given places. In addition, the quota for women is to be lifted in 2023. WALPE therefore offers training and exchange opportunities as well as empowerment measures for women who are interested in political office.

In parallel to her work, she completed another degree in the field of peace, human rights and governance at Africa University .

arrest

In 2019, Dewa was arrested with six other Zimbabwean activists. Before that they had attended the conference “Human rights, peace building and non-violent strategies to engagement” in the Maldives . Meanwhile, the state-controlled Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald published an article about the conference, claiming that the activists were being trained in terrorism and counter-espionage there. As a result, all six activists were arrested on arrival in Zimbabwe and detained in Chikurubi Prison. Dewa was released after 15 days on payment of bail and other conditions. International human rights organizations strongly condemned the detention.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Dissertation Dewa , accessed on October 28, 2019.
  2. ↑ a b Stabile Dewa In: Giraffe Heroes Project website , 2019, accessed on October 28, 2019.
  3. ↑ Zanu PF leads in human rights violations , Tapiwa Zivira & Phyllis Mbanje, In: The Standard , July 14, 2013, accessed October 28, 2019.
  4. ↑ Zimbabwe's first school of politics opened , Tapiwa Zivira, In: News Day , December 11, 2018, accessed on October 28, 2019.
  5. ^ Zimbabwe Gender Commission Preliminary Election Monitoring Report on the 2018 Harmonized Elections , In: Zimbabwe Gender Commission , August 17, 2018, accessed on October 28, 2019.
  6. ↑ a b Masters student held on treason charge misses graduation , Kudzai Mashininga, In: University World News , June 11, 2019, accessed October 28, 2019.
  7. ↑ Two remaining incarcerated civil society leaders freed in Zimbabwe , In: Panapress , June 10, 2019 accessed October 28 of 2019.
personal data
SURNAME Dewa, Sitabile
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Dewa, stable
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Zimbabwean activist
DATE OF BIRTH 1984 or 1985