Hundreds attend Dignity rally in London
By Lance Guma
10 March 2007.

Hundreds of Zimbabweans living in the UK joined in a rally organized by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. The rally celebrated the role of women in the global struggle for justice and was addressed by Lovemore Matombo the President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, and his vice-president Lucia Matibenga. Other speakers lined up included Labour MP Kate Hoey and former Zimbabwe Test cricketer Henry Olonga as well as Baroness Amos, leader of the House of Lords.

ACTSA say they have a special interest in the problems faced by Zimbabwean women because they have heard through the ZCTU that they were having problems preserving their dignity because of the serious shortage of sanitary pads. The London rally comes two days after the International Women’s Day and organisers say they will fundraise to get money to provide sanitary products to Zimbabwean women. An inflation rate way in excess of the official 1600 percent has meant most women are unable to afford these.

ACTSA keep the Southern African region in the spotlight through lobbying, publication of reports and media briefings. The rally on Saturday was one such campaign that will keep the problems faced by women in Zimbabwe in the spotlight. Kathryn Llewellyn the head of ACTSA’s campaigns had urged people to come to the streets in solidarity and respect for the bravery of the women in Zimbabwe ‘not only as they struggle to meet the basic needs of their families, but as they fight to free their country."

This will be the second time in a week that Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom have come together in a massive show of solidarity with suffering Zimbabweans back home. Last week Saturday, hundreds of MDC supporters protested against the Zanu PF government’s latest restrictions barring political meetings and rallies around the country and plans by Mugabe to extend his term of office.