Civil society resisting the pressure

This year for the third time Zimbabwe Social Forum was set up. However the event was reduced from a three day a one day forum due to lack of funding. Despite less time available and a narrowing political space the Social Forum this year was in several regards bigger than the previous ones.

By Claudia Juhl, Communication Worker, MS Zimbabwe

03. January 2007

The 3^rd edition of the national Zimbabwe Social Forum (ZSF) was held September 30^th 2006 in the capital of Harare under the theme: “People’s Resistance against Oppression and Poverty: Demanding Accessible and Affordable Services.”

Like previous years large numbers of activists this year gathered from across the nation to debate the impact of poverty and persistent oppressive systems limiting the space for civil society and ordinary citizens in Zimbabwe.

A major concern was the fact that access to basic social services is fast diminishing, with women and children bearing the biggest burdens. A Women’s Tribunal staged during the opening session was a touching piece of work which clearly showed the plight of women through drama and speeches. Among other things participants emphasized the need to educate and actively involve rural women in the debate on domestic violence and women’s rights.

Others clusters debated on youth, education, labor rights, HIV and Aids, trade, debt and many other issues of concern to the organizations and activists who carry the social forum forward.

One day only

Despite the many problems addressed, sentiments were raised as to whether the social forum movement in Zimbabwe is loosing its momentum. The questions are due to the fact that this year’s ZSF was a one day event only, contrary to the traditional three days in previous years. The major reason for reducing the number of days was lack of funding. The answer to whether the forum is loosing momentum largely depends on the parameter by which to measure momentum: In terms of resources the space was reduced this year, but on the other hand; the level of local and regional activity was higher than ever.

In another respect too, this year’s forum gained momentum. The forum expanded at grassroots level and moved out to other towns and cities apart from the capital.
This proves that the very idea behind the forum has been strengthened: The idea is to provide a significant platform for civic movements and individuals to speak against poverty and unjust politics. In other words, to give people at the grassroots level a chance to air their views and address the present challenges of globalisation and neo-liberalism.

Limited political space

In view of the present challenges civic society currently faces in Zimbabwe the mere fact that a social forum event can take place year after year, can be characterized as a notable success.

Restrictive pieces of legislation have increasingly limited the space for civil society groups to hold public meetings and gatherings. A pending NGO bill implies a continuous threat to the NGO community and the suppressed media calls upon civic society to sustain the limited space for civic action.

As such the Social Forum plays an important role in providing a platform for information sharing, awareness raising and opportunities to advocate for the rights of ordinary citizens in Zimbabwe.