A tribute to Auxillia Chimusoro

Auxillia Chimusoro

March 8th 2007: As Zimbabwe celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, the contribution of many women in various social, economic and political spheres of life comes under focus. 

The 2007 theme for Women’s History Month “Generations of Women Moving History Forward”, celebrates the wisdom and tenacity of prior and future generations of women and recognizes the power of generations working together.

A report produced by the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1998 observed that “Zimbabwe is mainly a patriarchal society and has traditionally placed little recognition and value on women's participation outside of the home.”

At the time of this report, very little attention was paid to the works of many women, including Masvingo-based Auxillia Chimusoro. In February 2000, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) started recognizing her work and  has honored men, women, and  organizations demonstrating outstanding commitment to stigma reduction and HIV and AIDS mitigation every year since then.

Despite these efforts, her hard work is rarely highlighted when the contributions of women in Zimbabwe are mentioned.

This Saturday the U.S. Embassy presents a tribute in her honor through a poem, “The Unsung Heroine- Auxillia Chimusoro”, which will be part of  an exciting line up of activities meant to commemorate International Women’s Day. The event, “Celebrating Womanhood,” at the Zimbabwe German Society on Saturday March 10th,  is supported by cultural institutions- the Zimbabwe German Society, U.S. Embassy, the British Council, Dante Alighieri Society and Institute Cervantes- represents one of the biggest events commemorating International Women’s Day in Harare.

“I realized that as a woman writer I have to pay tribute to her and raise her torch so it burns on forever, and her strength and sacrifice is brought to life and hopefully inspire and awe many, and sober them, as it does me each day,” says Primrose Dzenga, author of the poem.

Dzenga’s (25) poem relives Chimusoro’s spirit and provides a sobering rendition of her work, which continues to influence many individuals in Zimbabwe.

Primrose Dzenga

Chimusoro’s legacy started in 1989 when she became one of the first individuals in Zimbabwe to openly declare her HIV positive status, despite the significant social stigma attached to HIV and AIDS at the time. She later established the first HIV support group in Harare. Before she died in 1998, she had established more than 50 support groups in both rural and urban communities throughout Zimbabwe.

“I was motivated, humbled and inspired by her formidable courage, but mostly by the options and doors that her work presented to Zimbabweans especially women who are heavily plagued by the effects of HIV/AIDS but at the same time presented with very little options for dealing with it,” says Dzenga.

In her poem, Dzenga describes Chimusoro as “a true mother, sister, fighter and friend” who fought “against ignorance.” The poem acknowledges that Zimbabwean women have for a long time made significant contributions in the political front and these efforts have been recognized. Yet Chimusoro’s legacy is different.

“It is sad when you look at how little there is about her and her work not to mention her contribution, in Zimbabwean literature. Most people in Zimbabwe don't even know who she is or what she did” says Dzenga.

Chimusoro’s efforts are clear testimony that women are essential agents in bringing about change and are often an overlooked resource in overcoming poverty and disease.

For Dzenga, the tribute to Chimusoro is not only about recognition.

“Unfortunately the vice is not only in lack of recognition but ultimately in what we loose as a society by lack of it, because naturally when you recognize someone 's contribution you get inspired  either to top up, to uphold or to carry on where they left  and sometimes to even start something new,” she says. ###