Eight hours of music, dance, and more to commemorate International Women’s Day
Its been 99 years since the first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 and this year, with the global United Nations theme: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All, the world once again celebrates with thousands of events being held globally to inspire women and celebrate their economic, political and social achievements past, present and future. On the 8th March, a global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world, ranging from political rallies, business conferences, and government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatrical performances, fashion parades and more.
Launched in 1911 on 19 March (not 8 March as it is now celebrated) by Clara Zetkin, an influential socialist German politician and fighter of women’s rights, the first International Women’s Day was a huge success in Europe and it called for the equality and inclusion of women in government and in society. It also pushed for the right for women to vote. The day was changed the following year to 8th March and has remained so since. Although this day remains a global celebration of womanhood, there is no complacency as women continue to face inequality on many fronts throughout the world.
Here in Zimbabwe, the International Cultural Group made up of international cultural organisations and embassies, have over the last three years celebrated and honoured the day through various cultural activities aimed at showcasing Zimbabwean women’s talent, providing a day for women to network and celebrate their womanhood and to also basically enjoy themselves. This year is no different as the International Cultural Group has once again lined up an exciting programme to celebrate this day on 6th March 2010 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe starting at 1030hrs.
Music and Entertainment
Hope Masike, the well known Mbira player who has impressed audiences in Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Mozambique and elsewhere, and the Kakuwe Band will be there to present the songs of their lastest album. On the musical line up will also be CBZ´s “A” Academy winner Praise Nyandimu and a ladies’ Hip Hop performance by the group BornFree, a youth group involved in theatre for development. There will be plenty of poetry, rap and dance.
The highlight for the day will be a fashion show by the Zimbabwe Fashion Week. “The show will be a fast paced extravaganza incorporating all the inventive aspects of fashion. The show on the 6th of March will be a sneak preview of the inaugural Zimbabwe Fashion Week slated for the end of July”, said Ilona Velez, the Zimbabwe Fashion Week spokesperson.
Round Tables
The theme of this year’s round tables will be the role of gender in the media. Prominent activists and members of the media industry such as Catherine Makoni and the director of the documentary Sex in the City of Harare, Charity Maruta, will give analytical tools to better comprehend mainstream media messages and will discuss strategies to promote alternative discourses on gender roles.
The time for discussions and networking will conclude with the presentation of The Women Networking Harare, an initiative that was hatched in Munich in 2008 and now has a partner organisation in Harare, led by Tsitsi Dangarembga, Virginia Phiri and Monica Rukanda. These prominent writers will present their background and objectives and; two successful business women will recount their success stories.
Visual Artist and Films
The National Gallery will be hosting two new exhibitions in commemoration of the day as part of their monthly program “Days of the Month”. Visitors to the gallery will be able to enjoy the first exhibition of Zimbabwean Women photographers called “Women’s Lens”. This exhibition is a reflection in images of gender issues by emergent and professional female photographers of Zimbabwe.
The National Gallery will also give tribute to the late Coleen Madamombe showcasing about thirty of her sculptures in the exhibition “Coleen: A brief life”.
The Library of the National Gallery will be hosting screenings starting at noon. Documentaries such as “Afghan Chronicles”, “It’s time”, and “The positive ladies soccer club” will address issues such as professional challenges for women, domestic violence and the fight against stigma from the perspective of HIV+ women.
The event will be officially launched by the Ambassador of Canada, H. E Barbara Richardson, and the closing remarks will be given by the Ambassador of Spain,. H.E. Pilar Fuertes Ferragut.
The International Cultural Group is made up of the British Council, Alliance Française, Zimbabwe-German Society, as well as the embassies of Switzerland, Spain, Canada, the United States and Germany, and a representative from UNESCO. Some projects are also implemented with support from the EU and other partners.
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