Jenni Williams
| Jenni Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Residence | Zimbabwe |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Organization | WOZA |
| Known for | Robert Mugabe critic |
Jenni Williams is a Zimbabwean human rights activist and founder of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). During Robert Mugabe's era, she earned a reputation for criticising the former president and his regime.[1]
Background
Jenni was born in Gwanda, Zimbabwe. She is of mixed race as her parents were Irish and Matabele. Jenni dropped out of high school at 16 years in order to assist her mother to raise her siblings. Jenni is married to an electrician and has three children. Williams' two sons left Zimbabwe in mid-2000s and followed their sister to the United Kingdom. Her Husband also left Zimbabwe to join their children in the UK but Jenni remained in Zimbabwe to fight for social justice.
Activism
Between 1992 and 2002 Jenni's firm represented the Commercial Farmers' Union of Zimbabwe which brought her company in conflict with Robert Mugabe. Jenni protested against the Fast Track Land Reform Programme. She was forced to close her company by the Mugabe Regime.
In 2002, Williams became one of the founders of Woza, a grassroots opposition movement created in response to a perceived lack of action by Zimbabwe's men against the Mugabe government.
By 2008, Williams had been arrested 33 times by the Mugabe government for her actions with the (WOZA).
Awards
Jenni was given the US government's International Women of Courage Award in 2007 for "providing an example of courage and leadership by working for change through peaceful and nonviolent means". The award was presented by the then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
References
- ↑ Robert Mugabe: How Jenni Williams became the thorn in the side of the Zimbabwean dictator, the Guardian, retrieved: 16 Nov 2018
