Human Rights Watch: Zimbabwe 2011

The Human Rights Watch released their World Report 2012, which summarizes the events of 2011.  Below are some of the categories they write about and the atrocities taking place.  For a complete view of 2011, read the entire report here.

Politics

• After a period of relative calm, 2011 saw an increase in politically motivated violence across the country.

• Police and prosecutors have been highly partisan and biased in their investigations and prosecution of acts of violence between supporters of the two parties. Groups allied to ZANU-PF continue to beat and intimidate citizens in the high-density suburbs of Harare with impunity, while MDC activists accused of violence are disproportionately arrested.

Human Rights Activists & Freedom of Expression

• The Zimbabwean authorities continue to use repression and intimidation to silence human rights advocates and to prevent them from exposing abuses and promoting respect for human rights.

• On September 21, police arrested 12 activists from the organization Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) during a peaceful march commemorating the international day of peace. Ten of the activists were released without charge but two leaders of the organization, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, spent 13 days in custody.

• There continue to be serious limits on the rights to freedom of expression and information in Zimbabwe, particularly in the form of threats of closure of independent media organizations, as well as the intimidation, arbitrary arrest, and criminal prosecution of journalists. The government’s actions seem primarily designed to inhibit criticism of government officials and institutions, and to muzzle reporting and commentary on the political situation in the country.

Diamonds

• While violence has decreased in the Marange diamond fields over the past year, Human Rights Watch research in June found that Zimbabwe police and private security guards employed by mining companies in the Marange diamond fields were implicated in abuses against local unlicensed miners. Private security guards working with the police routinely beat and set dogs to attack and maul local miners who stray into areas of the fields controlled by the companies. During patrols, police also fired live ammunition at miners as they fled the fields.

Interaction with the World

• The United Nations Human Rights Council’s first Universal Periodic Review of Zimbabwe took place in October 2011. Zimbabwe rebuffed at the outset all recommendations pertaining to investigating allegations of violations, combating impunity, and bolstering protection in the Marange region, and related to freedoms of assembly and expression, including repealing or amending the POSA.

• Due to the absence of meaningful human rights improvements, the European Union and United States have maintained targeted sanctions on Mugabe and others within his government.

As elections still loom in 2012, political violence is sure to rise, human rights activists and journalists will most likely face more oppression, and Zimbabweans will bear the brunt of the uncertainty.  It’s important to let the government in Zimbabwe know the world is watching and we want to see their incredible potential work for positive change. 

The Geography of Women's Economic Opportunity

The treatment of women reflects a society’s commitment to equality and social justice. But it also reflects its ability to harness human capital, advance to innovative frontiers and generate higher levels of economic prosperity for all members.

This eye-opening article explores the Geography of Women’s Economic Opportunity. 

Most Zimbabweans have few economic opportunities, but women face more barriers than men.  And they are often the ones left to provide for children, parents, and other relatives. 

This map shows how countries rank in Gender Equity: 

 

Do you see Zimbabwe?  It’s there, in the gold color, inside the black circle.  Zimbabwe scores very low in education, economic participation, and empowerment of women.  On all of the maps in this study, one thing is clear: "ocieties which emphasize tolerance, individual autonomy and self-expression over hierarchical, authoritarian values also have higher levels of economic development." For countries to prosper, they must encourage the participation of women in the business environment.  We believe that women are the key to economic and societal success.  The women of Zimbags are proving that one bag at a time.     

MLK Day & a Sale!

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here at Zimbags, we are aiming for excellence by changing some things this year.  The first step is to make room for change!  And that means good things for you: a sale!

Now through February 14th many Zimbags products will be up to 50% off.

What's on sale?  The ZimTote,  The ZimMarket Mini, The ZimPouch Mini, The ZimLunch Mini, The ZimOnsies & Shirts, The ZimTableCloths, and the beautiful ZimWall Hangings!

Make sure to get yours now, supplies are limited.  All proceeds go making big changes that will help the women of Zimbags -- be part of the change!

Changes are coming!

Hi there!  Guess what?  Things at Zimbags are changing this year.  We are excited to start sharing these changes with you soon.  Keep your eyes open for new and exciting things.  

The image above is just one hint at the awesomeness ahead.  We have also joined Twitter!  Come follow us to learn about what's happening with Zimbags.  

It's 2012 -- Zimbags 5th year in operation, celebrate along with us this year as we grow and change.
 

Art can change lives.

We believe art can change lives.
(and it's cool when you can take your art with you!)

Check back soon to:

• See the ZimSignature Collection.
• Meet our new artist!
• Get updates on Zimbabwe.

Happy Wednesday!
-The Happy Bag Elves

Human rights are rights for humans.

Human rights are freedoms and basic rights that ALL humans are entitled to. But not all leaders (or other people) live in a way that protects these.

The people of Zimbabwe face many attacks on their rights. Here is a human rights violations that is currently taking place in Zimbabwe:

Human rights and political activists in Zimbabwe are facing a major clampdown, with over 60 currently held in detention and many allegedly tortured. In Harare, 45 people have been charged with treason and face the death penalty if convicted. More activists have been arrested in Bulawayo and Manicaland province.

Read more here.

As elections loom large, let's make it clear to the leaders in Zimbabwe that the world is watching and let's show the people of Zimbabwe that we care what happens to them. At Zimbags, we are watching in hopes of keeping the people in power accountable for their actions. Join us by staying informed.

Happy Friday!

-The Happy Bag Elves

Save 10% in March!

Happy (end of) Monday to you!

Tomorrow, a new month begins. March. The march toward spring. And hopefully this sale will put a spring in your step (very punny, huh?).

March 8th is International Women's Day (more on that later), so for the whole month of March all Zimbags with artwork featuring women are 10%. Get your Zimbag, support women artists, and celebrate International Women's Day! The bags included are the folding Zimshopper, the Zimshopper, the Zimtote, and the Zimblack tote. The art on your bag will look something like these:

Zimbags make ending poverty a beautiful thing.

-The Happy Bag Elves

We Heart Jumo!

Do you have a Facebook? I'm going to venture a guess that you do. Well, now you can follow an issue or project (like Zimbags!)

Jumo was created by a Facebook co-founder and makes it easy for you get involved in changing the world. Jumo believes "together we can speed the pace of global change." We like that.

The idea is simple. You find, follow, support.

How can you sign up and start following causes that interest you? It's easy.

1. Go to jumo.com.
2. Sign in with your existing Facebook account or create one.
3. Search for the issues and projects that interest you (like Zimbags!)

4. Stay informed with updates, donate your time or money or skills, and get involved in a community that cares.

Jumo mean "to come together" in Yoruba. With so many people on Facebook so much of the time... we think it's pretty great that they are looking for ways to connect people over important issues.

So while you are clicking around on Facebook today, how about joining Jumo and following Zimbags.

Happy Friday!

-The Happy Bag Elves

Spread the Love!

Product We Heart: TOMS!

Two things that go nearly everywhere with me: my shoes and a bag. And usually, that bag is a Zimbag and those shoes are TOMS. Today was no different. I went to the post office and grabbed some Friday morning coffees for me and Mr. Happy Bag Elf #1 and my TOMS took me there and my Zimbag carried all my stuff: keys, wallet, book, 2 coffee mugs, cell phone, and lots of other random things.

TOMS are unbelievably comfortable. And if you know me, you know that I am lazy about fashion. The more comfortable and easy it is to wear, the better. Bonus points if it happens to be cute. TOMS fit all those categories: comfortable, easy to wear, cute ... annnnnd, for every pair of TOMS you buy, they give a pair to a child in need. That is incredible. It makes me walk a little happy, bouncy walk.

I wear my pair of gray ones all the time. And they have held up like champs. The other day they took me on a bike ride to the bus, on the bus, walking around Seattle all day, and to martinis and dinner with the other (beautiful) Happy Bag Elf. And the best part: they were still comfortable at the end of the day. I love knowing that a little kid somewhere is running around in a pair of shoes just like mine just because I bought a pair. They have pairs for men, women, and the little ones... so many styles and colors to choose from, and every pair is comfortable and cute.

I have had this pair for over a year and as you can see in the photo, they are starting to fade and I have beat them up pretty badly, so I am starting to think about getting a new pair. I am leaning toward the "Love is the New Black" pair in Navy Blue.....

Do you own a pair? Which are your favorite?

We heart TOMS! We also love weekends.... have a great weekend!

-The Happy Bag Elves

Smile.

Some of the best advice that my parents gave me was to smile. You never know who might feel better if you just show basic human kindness. Such a simple gesture. Try smiling at someone today.

(This is a picture of two Zimbags women artists in Zimbabwe.)

Smiling,
The Happy Bag Elves

The Lives Behind the Numbers

The average teacher, government worker, or civil servant in Zimbabwe makes about $200 a month. Recently the state statistics agency in Zimbabwe put the poverty line for a family of five in Zimbabwe at $467.

Just to eat the bare minimum amount of calories to stay healthy, a family must spend $150. Teachers, government workers, and civil servants can’t afford to house, clothe, and feed their families, let alone pay for schooling or healthcare.

And when you look at the country as a whole, they are the lucky ones. Most Zimbabweans are unemployed and living on less than $1 a day.

Of course, these numbers are heartbreaking and shocking, but behind the numbers are the actual people living their lives and working hard.

There are 5 women artists we know in Zimbabwe that are working hard to provide for their families. They create art using the sadza technique. They cook cornmeal (sadza), create traditional Zimbabwean designs and art with the sadza on cotton fabric, wait for the sadza to dry in the sun, paint over the design, seal the paint with heat, and then remove the sadza from the fabric.

This process is time and skill intensive. The artwork produced is vibrant and beautiful, like the Zimbabwean spirit. We purchase this artwork at fair prices and sell it in our webstore where you can make the beautiful artwork your own while empowering women in Zimbabwe.

Like the woman in this beautiful sadza painting, the women artists we work with gracefully balance their burdens and carry their families as they walk toward their future.

Thanks for supporting Zimbags and helping these women lighten their heavy burdens.

Always,

The Happy Bag Elves

In DC & Zimbabwe

Hi from Washington DC! We are here visiting our friend and the reason Zimbags exists, Sadie. We will also be picking up a new shipment of art from Zimbabwe. We are excited to see what the box holds!

While we are here in DC, enjoying the mild weather that the rest of the east coast wishes they had, here are some news updates for you to check out:

China poised to pour $10 billion into Zimbabwe

With elections looming, the Police and Zanu PF are targeting MDC supporters and trumping up (or making up) charges

Prime Minister Tsvangirai would like to see uprisings similar to those in Egypt

An Open Letter about the similarities between Zimbabwe and Egypt and the upcoming elections

Have a beautiful Wednesday.

-The Happy Bag Elves

The true size of Africa....

You wouldn't know it by the small amount of news coverage the continent gets, but Africa is huge! I hate to admit it, but I didn't realize how big it really is.

via Information is Beautiful

I love learning new things. And this map puts things in perspective for me. An interesting thing to ponder and beautiful map to look at!

Always,

The Happy Bag Elves

Product We Heart...

Hey there -- did you notice the new tabs at the top of the blog? There is now one called "Products We Heart." Check it out to see eco-friendly, fair trade, and pretty things we love. We want to spread the word about people and companies that are doing great things to change the world for good.

If you have a product you think we'd love, leave us a comment or email us at contact@zimbags.org.

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This week we love Priti nailpolish.

...Priti has many meanings in Sanskirt such as any pleasurable sensation, with love, out of

satisfaction, affection, attraction, and happy. Women everywhere can now help keep our planet Priti- and look good while doing so...

The best part about these nailpolishes (besides being beautiful)? They are eco-friendly. They are non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty free. With Priti, luxury and eco-friendly go pretty painted hand in hand. Normally nail polish has a noxious odor that you know can't be good for you and nail polish remover is even worse. But not with Priti.

There are so many beautiful colors to choose from and they even have a line for children.

Some of our favorite colors:

(Sergeant Cherry Trees, Blue Dawn Delphinium, A Time's Roses, Lady Derby Hyacinth)

What happens when your nails are all chipped or you want to change to another color? They have thought of that too. Priti has soy-based, non-toxic, 100% biodegradeable nail polish remover.

And if you thought it couldn't be better, they also offer a program for recycling your polish. Check it out here.

That's what we love this week, how about you? What do you love this week?

-The Happy Bag Elves

2011!

Happy New Year to you! A lot of us are busy making New Year's Resolutions for the year. With a new calendar comes a fresh start to be better versions of ourselves. We want to give you a few ways Zimbags can help with your resolutions.

Here are 11 ways Zimbags can help in the New Year....

1. Get in shape. Use a ZIMtote or ZIMblack tote to carry your workout clothes, yoga mat, running shoes, and water bottle to the gym.

2. Keep working out! Wear your ZIMshirt out on your run or walk.... get a good workout and show off your rocking style and body. Or take your ZIMchalk bag to the climbing gym to show people how you can hang from a rock by one finger.... and in style while helping women half-way around the world.

3. Do what matters, spend time with family. Spend more time with your baby cuddled up in his or her cute ZIMonsie! Or make dinner with your honey and serve it on a ZIMtablecloth. Or cuddle up on the couch and admire your beautiful, new ZIMwall hanging. Or pack lunches with the little ones the night before school in their ZIMlunch mini (napkin notes with lots of hearts are especially fun!).

4. Spend time with friends. Bring dinner and wine from the market to your friends in the spacious ZIMshopper. Send a faraway friend a note on a ZIMbag card to let them know you are thinking of them.

5. Eat better. Pack your ZIMmarket mini full of yummy veggies and fruits. And then carry them all home in your ZIMfolding shopper.

6. Learn something new. Pull your glasses out of your ZIMpouch mini and read the news (and Zimblog). There is always something new to learn. And each Zimbags product comes with the story of one of the women artists...it's always great to read someone else's story, especially if you are helping them.

7. Get organized. Write your lists in a ZIMjournal, keep a ZIMfolding shopper in your purse so you don't forget your reusable bags, and keep your coupons tidy in a ZIMpouch mini.

8. Save money. Use any of your reusable Zimbags to get discounts a discount at the grocery store, Target, IKEA, or many other stores. Choose to reuse and not use plastic and you are bringing down prices in the long run. If we get rid of the need for plastic bags, stores won't have to buy them.

9. Do something good for the planet. We work hard to bring you products that not only help you reduce the need for plastic and trash, but we work hard to keep our process environmentally friendly. All of our bags are made from recycled fibers or plastics or are organic. The paper we print our tags, invoices, and information on is made from recycled paper bags and can be recycled when you are done with it. Each bag gives you the opportunity to say no to plastic bags. And if you give gifts in Zimbags, you reduce the amount of trash being produced. We believe every small step is important. So we try to focus on not only the big things, but the small things we can do to help. Find out more here.

10. Give great gifts. This year, make sure to give great gifts to those you love. Zimbags not only make wonderful gifts, they make meaningful gifts. And not just for the person you are giving them to, but to the women artists who make the beautiful artwork. Share Zimbags this year. And if you are shopping for one of your hard-to-shop-for friends, give a Zimbags gift certificate! There is something for everyone in our webstore.

11. Do something good for others. Share the Zimbags story with your friends and families. Each bag features the artwork of women artists in Zimbabwe and all of the proceeds go directly back to them. The women in Zimbabwe face extreme poverty, low life expectancies, and hardships that most of us can barely even imagine .... every purchase you make is a help in the lives of these women and their families. And we are always looking for volunteers and donations to help. If your resolution is to help others, you're in the right place!

Here's a beautiful song for you today:

Happy New Years!

-The Happy Bag Elves

Happy Holidays from Zimbags

Hello there! We are sure you are in the full-on holiday swing of things. And we are too! Hanging ornaments, eating too much, bundling up, and enjoying time with friends and family.

We hope that you have a happy holidays this year. We can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for Zimbags.

We will be taking a holiday break from the Zimblog until the New Year (sometimes we get jealous that kids don't have to school). But that doesn't mean we won't still be selling Zimbags in our webstore. We are still the Happy Bag Elves and will still be working hard to Bag Poverty. Will you join us? Make 2011 the year we bring hope in droves to the women and children in Zimbabwe.

Check back in the New Year for new products, new sales, and new adventures with Zimbags.

Human Rights Day Sale & a Secret.....

Today is Human Rights Day. "The Day marks the anniversary of the Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Over the years, a whole network of human rights instruments and mechanisms has been developed to ensure the primacy of human rights and to confront human rights violations wherever they occur."

At Zimbags we believe it is every person’s right to have the opportunity to earn living wages and better herself, her family, and her community. Thus, our goal as an organization is to teach women sustainable skills and create job opportunities that will ultimately improve their quality of life.

In honor of Human Rights Day we are having a sale on the Zimfolding Shopper! Each bag is just $10 through the 13th of December. Make sure to snag your Zimfolding Shopper quickly.

Why did we choose the Zimfolding Shopper? Well, that's where the secret comes in. Shhh, don't tell the other Zimbags, but we happen to love this bag especially. It folds up so small and can be tucked just about anywhere -- it is just so darn cute. And practical. It holds more than a plastic shopping bag and is sturdier. Because it is so small and lightweight, it is easy to store in places where you won't forget to take it into the store. And don't get us started on the beautiful artwork! We swoon over this bag (almost as much as the Zimonsies which kill us with cuteness!)

Where could you store it, you ask? Well, how about your purse, diaper bag, coat pocket, basket on your bike, glove compartment in your car, on the dash of your car, or anywhere else you can think of.

A bit about this cute (and practical) bag:

It folds and velcros closed into a neat little packet measuring 7” by 4”. Perfect for slipping into your purse or glove compartment so you are never without a reusable bag. When unfolded, your bag will have 2 pockets, perfect for storing your keys, coupons, chap stick, gum, or any small thing you must have with you when shopping. Not only will you be helping the environment by eliminating wasteful plastic bags, you will be helping women in Zimbabwe overcome extreme poverty.

Each bag features sadza artwork created by women artists from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The art is sewn onto bags by bag elves in the US. When you purchase your bag you have the choice of Safari Animals or Cultural Scenes or Zimbabwean Designs, make sure to specify your choice! Each Zimbag comes with the story of a woman artist and explains how you are helping to Bag Poverty.

Get your Zimfolding Shopper and support the right for women in Zimbabwe to care for their families. (Currently the life expectancy in Zimbabwe is in the 30s. Creating sustainable jobs for women allows them to feed and educate their children so that the life expectancy can be longer -- a right everyone should have.)

Always,
The Happy Bag Elves

And the winner is......[drumroll].....

The winner of the November giveaway is Erin F.! She submitted pictures of her adorable daughter in the Zimonsie (Rhino Love) and the random number generator picked her as the winner of a $25.00 gift certificate.

We loved reading all your entries! Thank you for telling and showing us how you use your Zimbags products. Even though there isn't a giveaway right now, keep those pictures and stories rolling. We love to hear from you.

And here are the adorable pictures of Erin's baby girl sporting her Zimonsie:



Don't you just want to cuddle her?! What's cuter than a baby helping others by wearing a loving rhino? You can help to bag poverty too, visit the Zimbags website to learn more and shop!

Thanks Erin, for sharing with us.

Always,
The Happy Bag Elves

Thoughts...

The Christian Science Monitor has a 3 page article online about the possibility of the "unified" government unraveling and early elections taking place in Zimbabwe, still without a constitution. They write that the current state of things is "reminiscent of the violent 2008 elections" and that "Even if elections are held and Mugabe loses, analysts say, it's unlikely that Mugabe will allow a new president to replace him."

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“If elections are held next year, we will witness another blood bath, another disputed result, and Mugabe will remain on the helm," says Makumbe.

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We try to be optimistic and hopeful, but it seems like the bandaid that has been (barely) covering this fatal wound is being ripped off.

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It says something about the current state of Zimbabwe that the journalist who wrote this article had his/her identity "withheld due to security concerns."

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Though we may not be able to change those in power, we can help those who are under that power. The women artists we work with live with all of this going on around them. Their work allows them the money they need to survive in such turbulence - in a country that has the highest inflation the world has ever seen, one of the lowest life expectancies, and a growing HIV infection rate. The extreme poverty, unemployment, the poor health -- all of these things are related to the current political climate of Zimbabwe.

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"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." -Mother Theresa

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We believe in the power of helping one person. We believe that Zimbabwe has a bright future.

-The Bag Elves