Commenting on the Silencing of Women in Zimbabwe, I would like to add that I have just published a book called "Guns and Guerrilla Girls: Women in the Zimbabwean Liberation Struggle", (Africa World Press, 2004). This book examines the silences and silencing of women who fought alongside men for the nation's independence, but were mistreated, violated and silenced by the chiefs, leaders and commanders of the struggle. The research ended in 1997 when some women in Zimbabwe used their experiences to claim compensation from the government for their contribution to the struggle, but alas, they were silenced again during the "land invasion" stage of Mugabe's redistribution program. What ever happened to these women ex-combatants who fought for Zimbabwe, sacrificed their lives, and the lives of their children?

Everjoice Win's letter (Pambazuka News 147: Open letter to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and other women in the South African cabinet) should also be addressed to other African leaders (the men!) who are in power and can effect change in Zimbabwe. The suffering has being going on for too long. Millions of people need not face starvation because of the pride and ego of the male leaders, who cannot admit they are wrong. Corruption and patronage needs to be thwarted, where women bear the brunt of national pain. Women's lives need to be heard, maybe then we can find solutions to political, social and economic problems.