42 In Their Capacity as Human Rights Defenders: Women She has been involved in training lawyers and other sector specific groups such as members of parliament. From the years 2008–2011 she worked as a researcher at RAU. She has experience in video advocacy and has been involved in the production of two documentaries on political violence against women. Shonge says: “In a world where many injustices are being perpetrated for various reasons, human rights reflect the standard that we want to live up to, changes in behaviour, values and attitude that we want to see. They are a universal language, spoken by rich and poor alike. Human rights work is the vehicle through which I make my own small contribution to building a society that I want my children to grow up in. Through human rights work I can also ensure that my fellow citizens are treated in the best human way possible. I can assist to create mechanisms that make my government account for its actions, provide services that it should, and act in a manner that ensures that the lives of its citizens become better. Therefore through research, policy analysis, trainings and documentary making I do human rights work to make a difference!” Shonge has been motivated in her human rights work by women such as Justice Amy Tsanga and Kudakwashe Chitsike who have a passion for women’s human rights and access to justice. Nosimilo Chanayiwa is a human rights lawyer with ZLHR in Bulawayo. She is driven by a strong desire to use the law to bring about positive social change. “Poverty, marginalisation and inequality in society is in most part brought about by policies and laws that are not propoor; as such, human rights lawyering contributes towards the shaping of laws and policies for the benefit of the general public.” Chanayiwa’s work is rooted in assisting the poor and vulnerable attain and defend their socio-economic rights. She is currently working with Bulawayo residents to defend their right to water, which is under threat from the Bulawayo City Council’s plans to introduce pre-paid water meters. Her work has also resulted in improved access to healthcare for women, evicted families returning to their shelters, and children illegally chased away from school regaining their right to education. Political and civil rights are equally important for Chanayiwa; hence she is regularly in court defending political activists and human rights defenders. When she is not in court or at the office, she travels throughout the Matabeleland region conducting mobile legal clinics to raise awareness on human rights issues. Precious Chakasikwa is a human rights lawyer and also the ZLHR board vice-chairperson. She is a Councillor of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and also a board member of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe. Chakasikwa is a strong advocate for and of children’s rights, women’s rights and media freedom, as well as human rights defenders’ rights to carry out their legitimate work unhindered. She believes Zimbabweans should treat human rights as part of their culture and has vigorously fought for the protection of these rights as the ZLHR board vice-chairperson and in her own individual capacity, as well as being vocal in her condemnation of the government’s lethargic enforcement of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Chakasikwa has also been pushing for more effective parliamentary oversight over state institutions to improve service delivery. Despite safety concerns over her human rights work, she says: “We can’t all sit back or scurry. The work has to be done When you see the success that organisations such as ZLHR continue to score, not only in the courts but generally in educating people and bringing awareness about human rights, you want to be part of it and it gives one satisfaction that the work has not been in vain. Further, when you see those colleagues who have been victims of torture, arbitrary arrests and harassment such as Beatrice Mtetwa and Jestina Mukoko continue to do the work, you are motivated.”