Since February 2003, women belonging to the women’s rights organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA!) have repeatedly been arrested by the Zimbabwe police while taking part in peaceful demonstrations to protest the worsening social, economic and human rights situation in the country. They have been subjected to intimidation, harassment, and ill-treatment by police officers. Many of those arrested have later been released without charge, but some have been charged under the repressive Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
