Health impacts of participation in the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe by Zanla women ex¬combatants in the Zanla operational areas

Abstract

These are accounts of what happened during the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe, what life was really like for those who fought. How they suffered, their bravery, and their hardships. What happened to the women who fought beside the men lies behind the women's stories in a universal theme showing that women everywhere recognize the fight for independence, and then the isolation and disregard and suppression all accumulating to the trauma that follows.Until women can talk about their war experiences and make a connection with their grief and anger, they will each still be unconsciously trying to get out of their own personal camps. The experiences are unique, but they are examples of the broader experience of cultural assumptions and attitudes towards women, how these permeate lives, and how each woman, attempts to survive them. Talking about war experiences is talking about trauma and suffering, it is about understanding the long-term health consequences but it is also about women's resilience and strength.

Date of Award	Feb 2009
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bedfordshire