Midlands Women and the Politics of Reconciliation in Zimbabwe The NTJWG Public meeting on women and transitional justice was held in Gweru on 9 December 2016 to promote the Guiding Principles on Women and Transitional Justice. The meeting was attended by 80 people who included civil society activists, members of the academia, students, representatives of women's groups, commissioners from independent commission, officials from the Ministry of Women's Affairs, and legislators. The topic of discussion was 'Women and the Politics of Reconciliation in Zimbabwe.' Presenters were Ms. Rumbidzai Dube from United Nations Women, Ms. Kudzi Matsika from Manicaland “Blood Money: Can Reparations Lead to Healing?” On the 17th of February 2017, a meeting was held under the t h e m e “B l o o d M o n e y: C a n Reparations Lead to Healing?” in Mutare. Various organisations and individuals reacting to an open invitation by the NTJWG attended t h e M i d l a n d s S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y, Commissioner O. Matshalaga from the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and Mrs. S. Dube from the Ministry of Gender, Wo m e n ' s A f f a i r s a n d C o m m u n i t y Development. The meeting noted that it was unfortunate that women bear the brunt of violence. Recommendations were made for stakeholders conference on women and peacebuilding to fully interrogate and bring to the fore the concerns of women. It was also suggested that the NPRC must carry out a national audit into the effects of violence on women. That audit will then inform any interventions. the meeting, with guest presentations from Dr Mungure, Rev Shirley DeWolf, Mr. Blessing Nyamaropa and Hon. Innocent Gonese. The discussion centred on reparations as a mechanism of addressing past injustices. Dr. Mungure who gave the main lecture noted that reparations are only effective as part of a comprehensive programme. The nation must be prepared to address a number of issues that arise when a reparations programme is to be implemented. These include the technical aspects of identifying possible beneficiaries, the cultural sensitivities associated with 'blood money', and the danger of ending up with an infinite number of victims. An important point raised was the idea that 17 ANNUAL REPORT 2017