YWCA’s Sheila Matindike Sworn in to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Bill, once it becomes an Act of Parliament, will form the basis of the country’s terms of reference, which will also spell out the conditions of service  and the scope of its work in terms of the protection and promotion of human rights. The bill has gone through its first and second readings in Parliament and it is expected to become operational shortly. "The swearing in of Mrs. Matindike completes the composition of the Human Rights Commission. That completes it, and fulfills one of the outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement. What remains is the Human Rights Commission Bill which must be enacted into law to operationalise the commission," said Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa.

Mrs. Matindike shares below her vision and role are as Human Rights Commissioner are:

“I have been in the business of women’s rights issues for over 19 years, working mainly in rural and disadvantaged urban communities. Through that work, I was involved in advancing women’s rights to health (through the programmes on health promotion and education), right to education (through vocational and skills training), right to participation (through leadership training ), right to food (through income generating projects) and in many other ways.

My vision is to see woman take up the challenge to serve in National Institutions in order to make a difference to the lives of women, children and the nation as a whole.  My vision is that of a nation where women make it their business to use their various skills and experiences to contribute to the safety and security of women and girls, to convert their negative experiences of violence to positive energy that provides solutions.

When 50% of the population is involved in national decision-making at all levels, the situation of women is bound to improve.  I want to see the women’s empowerment agenda bearing real fruits.

Because I am a woman with a real passion for women’s empowerment, I start with myself, my two daughters and my two granddaughters. I wish to leave a legacy for them by showing them that it is possible to be  anyone you wish to be as a woman. Follow your dreams ,offer yourself to serve, take risks, be positive and let challenges or difficult experiences propel you to constructive engagements.

I have personal experiences, both negative and positive, that have made me stronger and have given me the possibility to take on more challenges, including being a member of the Human Rights Commission.

In short my messages are the following:

• I wish to be a model to other women by showing that it is possible to be a pioneer in the first  ever Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission
• It is possible to fight for all people’s rights in the nation as a woman
• It needs one’s will power and determination to serve
• It is good to take risks for the sake of the common good
• Ploughing back to the women’s movement that built me is the most satisfying occurrence that happened to me
• The YWCA is an effective training ground for women to uplift themselves to serve at national and international levels.
• The YWCA taught me to learn and to start from a local level and grow to be able to relate and serve at other levels.

Therefore, my participation with other women Commissioners in the first ever ZHRC is a message to other women that we can do it. Let us stand up as women and take responsibility for our nation and ensure women’s rights (which are also human rights ) are protected and promoted.

I wish to thank the YWCA of Zimbabwe that has been my training ground, the World YWCA that has always supported my work and opened my eyes to the world movement and built my confidence.  I believe that coming to the YWCA was no accident, but is part of God’s plan in my life.  I used to say I wanted a quiet and safe life for myself where I was not noticed, where I could just go to church and enjoy my family, but God had other plans for me, to unlock my potential, strengthen me and post me in the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.”

The World YWCA congratulates Sheila Matindike on her appointment to the ZHRC and wishes her much success in her new role.