NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AWARD FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000958 SIPDIS FOR G/IWI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KWMN PREL KPAO ZW SUBJECT: NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE REF: STATE 99729 ¶1. The following is Embassy Harare's nomination for the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage. NAME: Gertrude Hambira TITLE: Secretary General INSTITUTION: General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) DOB: 23-NOV-1961 POB: Zimbabwe Citizenship: Zimbabwean Contact: 4th Floor, Sanders House, Corner J. Moyo & First Street, P.O. Box 1952, Harare, Zimbabwe. TEL: +263-4-734141 EMAIL: gertrudehambira@hotmail.com or gapwuz@zol.org.co PASSPORT NUMBER: BN625350 ¶2. Gertrude is a well-known civil society leader currently serving as Secretary General for the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ),established in 1985 to represent farm workers in issues of labor rights, governance, civic participation, gender, HIV/AIDS, youth, education, and child labor alleviation. Farm workers and their families are among the most vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe as their wages and living conditions continue to dwindle. The children, orphans, and spouses of tens of thousands of farm workers directly benefit from GAPWUZ's activities that support improving and regulating the relationship between farm operators and farm workers. As Secretary General, Gertrude has been a tireless advocate for farm workers and their families, particularly women and children, in support of adequate wages, living conditions, and educational opportunities. ¶3. Throughout the past year, Gertrude and GAPWUZ have faced increased intimidation, political violence, and forced displacement. Before Zimbabwe's elections in March of this year, GAPWUZ ensured farm workers understood where and how to vote, despite increasing hostility from the government. GAPWUZ members also participated in domestic election monitoring under Gertrude's leadership. During the election-related violence that ravaged the country, many farm workers and their families were targeted by ZANU-PF supporters and militias who perceived commercial farm workers as MDC supporters and tens of thousands were displaced. Gertrude led her organization in playing an important role in drawing attention to their plight - including the unique difficulties facing displaced women and children - and offered them assistance in seeking temporary accommodation. ¶4. The increased political violence in 2008 was also closely associated with increased sexual violence, including rape as a political tool, particularly in rural areas. GAPWUZ conducted surveys and helped provide support to rape victims during the year, despite social taboos that prevent most women from speaking out about having been raped and risks of retribution by perpetrators. ¶5. In Zimbabwe's desperate economic times, many parents cannot afford to send their children to school, and children, often several years younger than the legal minimum age, must work. Gertrude has conducted studies of child trafficking and child labor, has successfully lobbied employers and the Government of Zimbabwe for better working conditions, and has overseen pilot projects to protect child laborers and help keep disadvantaged children in school. ¶6. Gertrude is among the most outspoken and respected civil society leaders in Zimbabwe. She consistently exposes injustice and faces constant threat as a result. For instance, in January Gertrude was attending her regular Anglican church service in Harare. When a disturbance broke out between followers of Bishop Sebastian Bakare and supporters of ousted ZANU-PF-supported Bishop Kunonga during the service, she began photographing the commotion and was subsequently arrested. Police - recognizing her and her leadership role in civil society - held her for several hours before releasing her. ¶7. Gertrude's efforts and dedication have been well-documented over the years. In 2007, she received the inaugural Democracy and Human Rights Award from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in recognition of her work in human rights advocacy within farming communities in Zimbabwe. Throughout this difficult year and for more than a decade, GAPWUZ and Gertrude Hambira have stood up to the brutal Mugabe regime and defended the labor, security, and human rights of Zimbabwean farm workers and their families. We are proud to nominate Gertrude Hambira for the Secretary's International Women of Courage Award. We firmly believe that the selection of Gertrude will send a strong message to the Government of Zimbabwe that the world is still watching. ¶8. Gertrude was informed of Post's submission of this nomination. ¶9. Embassy Officers working on women's issues: HARARE 00000958 002 OF 002 NAME: Ms. Amanda Porter (POL Section),U.S. Embassy Harare, TEL: +263-4-250593/4 NAME: Ms. Priscillah Kapungu, (Public Affairs Section) U.S. Embassy Harare, TEL: +263-4-758800/1 MCGEE