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Two (2) IT Interns
Deadline: 8 October 2013

Duty Station: Masvingo 1 / Harare 1
Position Code: PS-ITI13

Job Summary
CARE International in Zimbabwe is inviting applicants for the position of Information Technology Intern. Reporting to the Information Technology Assistant, the incumbent will be responsible for providing ICT technical support to Harare, Masvingo and Midlands Province district offices. Based in Masvingo/Harare s/he will carry user service requests and will also be responsible of the following:

Duties and responsibilities
-IT support and maintenance: the student will provide first line technical support to users on Windows applications and general computer use, install, assemble and configure computers, network infrastructure, peripherals such as printers, scanners and related hardware
-Networking: s/he will assist troubleshoot networking problems including router, switch and ISP backbone problems
-Email and Internet Administration: assist with WAN monitoring to ensure availability and accessibility of IT systems
-IT Inventory: Maintain an updated inventory of the sub offices and district offices

Qualifications, skills and experience
-Prospective candidates should be holders of an IT related degree/ diploma
-Good interpersonal skills
-Hardworking and flexible

To apply
Interested and suitably qualified applicants should submit application letters together with updated Curriculum Vitae quoting the position code on the subject for email applications to:

Human Resources Manager
PS-ITI13
CARE International in Zimbabwe
8 Ross Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Or email: vacancies [at] carezimbabwe [dot] org

Note: Please indicate the area of preference in your application.

there are many disparaging words used to describe us  women
bitch, witch, slut, hussy, harlot, whore…

crone is one of these
it conjures up a picture of bent old women with stringy grey hair and warts on their noses
screeching voices and fearful curses

would you want to be that?
PLEASE NO!

it is time to reclaim our authority as elders,
as grandmothers,
as crones
to remember and honour the gifts we bring
as the wise ones
to stop fearing our power as healers and ritual makers and web-weavers and visionaries
stop worrying about our size and shape and number of wrinkles
for it is now when we truly have the freedom to claim our authenticity
without needing approval

how do we connect ourselves into the spirals of life
and live each part true to inner knowing of ourselves
and call the wisdom of women back into our world?

For now is the time for us
to be truly who we are

Human rights activist, Betty Makoni last week brought out a hidden practice that has been going on in some sections our society which some would consider a normal way of life. The myth behind this secret culture is that women who had their labia pulled out are well prepared to please men in bed. Betty says she was forced into this practice when she was as young as 8 years old. To equate labia elongation to genital mutilation some may say is a bit too far since the process or practice doesn’t involve the physical cutting and stuff but on the other it raises questions of child abuse since the process involves touching of a child’s private parts. Just like the circumcision debate as a parent would you voluntarily allow your daughter to go through the process so that she can increase her chances in bed?

A recent report from the Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ) discusses some of the challenges facing young women in Zimbabwe today, including their vulnerabilities in the present economic environment.

In their recommendations, they say:

There is a need for civil society to push for the recognition of the informal sector as a source of livelihood for young women and these should therefore set up mechanisms of advocacy both at policy level and economically. For example this can be done by setting up markets like Mupedzanhamo for young women to sell their goods without fear of harassment and intimidation. Secondly, by creating platforms to encourage young women to desist and resist entering risky relationships of exchange through introducing various mentorship programs by either the relevant ministries or non-governmental organizations. Thirdly, by including policies that take into consideration historical gender imbalances for example the current indigenization policy, these policies should also consider gender protocol and enforce gender budgeting to ensure young women claim their space in empowerment. Lastly, the media has an important role to play in helping to address these issues young women face daily because of the current economic environment. It should act as an education tool rather than objectify women; it should be gender sensitive and create platforms for young women to air their views as well as inform them of the various opportunities open to them from various organizations.

Read more

Via poetfire

“Leaders of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise  (WOZA) have been arrested in Harare where they were marching to Parliament building to deliver a list of demands to the Clerk of Parliament,” Radio Dialogue reports.

According to Radio Dialogue:

Magodonga Mahlangu, one of the leaders of the group, in a brief interview with Radio Dialogue, confirmed that she had been arrested and was being taken to Harare Central Police station.

“I am in Harare, I’m under arrest and i am going to Harare central police station. I was beaten as i was climbing into the vehicle. I was thrown in and beaten. I am battered and bruised. It is only the voice that is there,” she said before the telephone call was terminated.

According to a statement issued by WOZA before the march:

Over 400 members planned to march to Zimbabwe’s Parliament to hand over a list of demands. The protest was planned to ‘test’ new provisions in the constitution and to make the voice of women heard around the direction that local and national government should take as the take up their positions. The protest also marks the international day of peace commemorated throughout the world on 21st September 2013.

The theme selected by a consultation conducted is peace must deliver freedom and development for all. Seven thousand WOZA members consulted wanted a theme that spoke to the peace bragging rhetoric by politicians that has for the most part been meaningless chatter. Additionally as the UN convenes and President Mugabe plays his sad old song about removing sanctions, WOZA members also call for him to remove his sanctions on Zimbabweans enjoyment of human rights and freedoms.