Washington DC – Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), are the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award winners.
WOZA is a grassroots movement of over 60,000 Zimbabweans working throughout their country, empowering women from all walks of life to mobilize and take non-violent action against injustice. Ms. Mahlangu is a bold leader and a pioneer of the women’s rights movement in Zimbabwe who has led WOZA’s determined campaign of direct action.
Tens of thousands of women have joined WOZA in standing up for human rights and speaking up about the worsening economic, social and political conditions in Zimbabwe. Since its founding in December 2002, WOZA has staged more than 100 non-violent marches in support of democratic reform and women’s empowerment. The Government of Zimbabwe has jailed Ms. Mahlangu and thousands of WOZA supporters many times for their participation.
“I feel both great excitement for the recognition of my work with WOZA and sadness because although my work has gained recognition internationally, in my own country I have been labeled an enemy of the state,” said Ms. Mahlangu. “Now I know I am not alone, the world is watching and one day [Zimbabwe] shall be a normal society – with the determination of the members of WOZA, anything is possible.”
Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy will present Ms. Mahlangu and WOZA with the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in a ceremony in mid-November. Mahlangu joins 39 RFK human rights laureates in 23 countries as the recipient of the 26th annual prize.
“In a country torn by violence and economic ruin, Magodonga Mahlangu and WOZA provide a desperately needed voice for the people of Zimbabwe and we were proud to select her and her organization for this prestigious award,” said Gay McDougall, RFK Human Rights Award Judge and U.N. Independent Expert on Minority Issues.
“Magodonga and the members of WOZA’s courageous and selfless struggle to defend human dignity sets a powerful example, not only for Zimbabwe, but for the entire world,” said Claudio Grossman, RFK Human Rights Award Judge and Dean of American University’s Washington College of Law.
Ms. Mahlangu organizes WOZA’s protests and helped create its signature style of peaceful, yet relentless actions. Ms. Mahlangu has been arrested over 30 times in the course of her work as a human rights defender.
Along with WOZA co-founder Jenni Williams, she has led campaigns with WOZA supporters to address many of the most crucial human rights issues facing Zimbabwean women, including domestic violence and rape, the right to food and education for children, the rights to participation and the right to association.
“Despite constant harassment and 2500 members spending time in police custody, WOZA members continue to build a grassroots movement to ensure that the voice of the people of Zimbabwe is central to determining the future of their country” said Monika Kalra Varma, Director of the RFK Center for Human Rights.
“Today the RFK Center begins a partnership with Magodonga and WOZA to contribute to their efforts and stand up for the rights of all Zimbaweans.”
For 41 years, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (RFK Center) has worked for a more peaceful and just world. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor courageous and innovative human rights defenders throughout the world who stand up against injustice, often at great personal risk.
The award includes a cash prize of $30,000 and on-going legal, advocacy and technical support through a partnership with the RFK Center. Winners are selected by an independent panel of human rights experts.
The 2009 panel included Claudio Grossman; Gay McDougall; Makau Mutua, Dean of University at Buffalo Law School, The State University of New York; Sushma Raman, President of Southern California Grantmakers; Dr. William F. Schultz, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress.
