'WOZA won't be based in Harare,' says Jennie Williams

Renowned Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) co-founder Jenni Williams has said the movement will not be enjoying its current success if it  was based in Harare.

WOZA is based in Bulawayo but has membership right across the country.

According to The Standard, Williams who has been arrested 65 times said funding is important for some of the work they do.

Below is part of the interview :

The Standard -- As a protest movement based in Bulawayo, do you feel you are as effective as those in Harare?

Jenni Williams : The fact of this question indicates the conditioning we have as Zimbabweans. But I will respond to it.

From the beginning, Harare people demanded to participate and Woza has a wide membership in Harare, Chitungwiza and peri-urban surroundings.

We have strong activists who march to Parliament and deliver messages directly. With this structure on the ground and in the trenches, we are as strong as any organisation in Harare.

However, we work in an environment where power is not devolved both in state and non-state actors and so access to policy makers and international community may be affected by our location.

But personally, with the attitudes I see from those in the capital and the harsh factionalism, I don't think Woza would be the strong organisation it is today had we been headquartered in Harare.

The Standard--Your critics say you only protest to attract donor funding, what is your reaction to such criticism?

Jenni Williams : This question indicates a lack of understanding of the importance of democracy and the right to protest as an accountability tool. Donor funding can never deliver freedom. Donor funding can never pay anyone for the sacrifices of beatings, torture, arrests and detention.

How does one put a cost on over 65 arrests and detentions in filthy cells? How could I or anyone expect to be paid for the equivalent of one year of my life spent in custody?
How can someone ever repay my mother or husband for the worry they suffer when I am inside? But most importantly, no donor is around long enough or will enjoy the fruits of the nonviolent struggle I am a part of.

Funding is important for some of the work we do and we have need for funding without any strings attached.

However, no donor has or will ever dictate what issues we act on as those issues are 100% owned by those who feel which part of their foot is being pinched by their shoe.

I challenge these people to come join me in a protest so they can experience it first-hand.