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Zimbabwe Trade Unionist Receives Pilkington Award For Courage


Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Second Vice President Thabitha Khumalo has received one of four Window to the World Awards bestowed by Britain's Women of the Year organization and sponsored by glass products manufacturer Pilkington.

The Window to the World award recognises women who have worked in dangerous and intimidating environments. The trade unionist has been harrassed by police on a number of occasion while working to advance the rights of women and workers.

Action for Southern Africa campaign head Kathryn Liwellyn said Khumalo has faced a particularly difficult time as a Zimbabwean trade unionist.

Khumalo, who also serves as deputy information secretary in the Movement for Democratic Change faction of MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai, helped raise funds in the so-called Dignity Period Campaign to acquire and distribute 2 million sanitary pads to Zimbabwean union members and others who could not afford them.

Khumalo told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe the award will inspire her to work harder for the rights of Zimbabwean women.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...

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