Towards a Conducive Environment for Women HRDs 41 work now focuses on how to walk the tightrope of holding government accountable for their actions through litigation and promoting respect for the Constitution, whilst encouraging legal and institutional reform through policy engagement and advocacy. “I believe in active citizenship and in using my professional skills to contribute in my own small way to promoting accountability and fighting impunity. I am constantly filled with admiration for the resilience and courage of those on the margins of our society who, nevertheless, put themselves on the line to improve their situation and that of those around them. If they can do it, who am I to shy away from my responsibilities?” Jessie Majome is a human rights lawyer and also a member of the National Assembly for Harare West Constituency. Majome is one of the most prominent figures on Zimbabwe’s human rights scene. Since her days as a young lawyer based in Hwange, Majome has been in the forefront of Zimbabwe’s democratisation agenda. She was part of the National Constitutional Assembly from its formative years and later became its spokesperson at a time when the organisation was the face of the country’s struggle for a new democratic Constitution. She later became involved in the drafting of Zimbabwe’s current Constitution as a member and deputy co-chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reform and Information and Publicity Sub-committee chairperson. Majome tenaciously fought for many of the progressive political, social and economic rights to be included in the current Constitution, which was adopted in 2013. A proponent of free speech, she is in regular touch with members of her constituency and the wider public using social media platforms. Majome is also frequently involved in community human rights awareness programmes. For her, awakening citizens to their rights helps drive them to demand their rights with more vigour. “Who are the owners of this Constitution? Is it government? Is it us?” she asks. “As citizens we don’t seem to be exhibiting the will to push and demand. There is definitely no political will but I also want to bring it to the citizenry of this country that they too have a responsibility as owners of the Constitution.” Majome matches her words with action. She has refused to pay the state broadcaster’s (ZBC Holdings) car radio listeners’ licence and has taken up the matter with the Constitutional Court. Kudakwashe Chitsike is a researcher, human rights lawyer and the Director of the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU). Kuda Chitsike has been involved in human rights work for the past 15 years. Her biggest motivation is the bravery of the unrecognised women human rights defenders who endure political violence in rural areas but have remained defiant. According to Chitsike “They speak out in order to ensure that their stories are heard and documented for posterity; for example, the research we did with women in 2009 who are still connected to us and who were and still are prepared to speak about politically motivated violence they suffered.” In 2009, Chitsike told the Zimbabwean story to the world in a big way when she led a team that produced a documentary entitled Hear Us: Zimbabwean Women Affected by Politically Motivated Violence Speak Out. Shown throughout the world, the documentary highlighted the gallantry of Zimbabwean women human rights defenders who often have to endure violent reprisals. Since her appointment as RAU director, she has taken the organisation through a strategic change, focusing on encouraging citizens, especially women, to be more involved in governance issues. Maureen Sibanda Shonge is a Project Lawyer at ZLHR and has eight years of extensive work experience in human rights work and research. Her main focus has been on the protection of human rights for vulnerable and marginalised groups such as women, children and prisoners.