Dear Friends and Partners
The report, the second in a series of three reports covering the lockdown period is a conversation that brings out community views and experiences during the lockdown period. The report covers 4 human rights themes that emerged in the communities where ZimRights members work. These are;
• The Government of Zimbabwe’s Approach to Information Management on COVID 19
• Appropriation and Manipulation of COVID 19 Aid
• Community Interaction with Health Facilities
• Experiences with Security Services
With links to our ZimRights Audible Channel, the report captures community voices on the critical human rights issues that are emerging in these difficult times. It brings out the agonies of communities that are enduring pain through loss of their loves ones, living in darkness due to information black out, experiencing discrimination on receiving humanitarian aid and yet actively engaging their leaders in search of solutions to these challenges.
Each of the four thematic sections of the report closes with a conversation on possible solutions to the challenges identified. The closing chapter gives four clear recommendations.
In times of crises, many times community voices are ignored as leaders rush against time to implement various measures. ZimRights believes there is no substitute to collective leadership. Effective solutions to our challenges can only be developed with the full participation of communities that are the worst affected by the measures in place. Through this simple, short and easy to read report, we bring to our leadership the voices of the communities in the hope that these voices can positively influence the measures to be taken, correct some of the mistakes and bring ordinary people to the front row in confronting the challenges of our times.
If you have any comments regarding this report, please get in touch with us on publications@zimrights.org.zw or visit our social media platforms.
Thank you. Stay safe.
ZIMRIGHTS TEAM
