Jenni Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jenni Williams
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Williams in 2009
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| Born | 1962 (age 62–63) Gwanda, Zimbabwe
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| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Occupation | Human rights activist |
| Organization | Women of Zimbabwe Arise |
| Awards | International Women of Courage Award (2007) Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award (2009) Ginetta Sagan Fund prize (2012) |
Jenni Williams, born in 1962, is a brave activist from Zimbabwe. She is known for fighting for human rights in her country. Jenni also helped start a group called Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). She was a strong voice against the government of President Robert Mugabe. In 2009, a newspaper called The Guardian said she was "one of the most troublesome thorns in Mugabe's side." This means she was a big challenge to his power.
Early Life
Jenni Williams was born in a place called Gwanda, Zimbabwe. Her mother, Margaret Mary, mostly raised her. Margaret's father was from Ireland and moved to what was then Rhodesia. He was a gold prospector and married a woman from the Matabele tribe. Jenni's Irish family came from Listowel, County Kerry.
When Jenni was 16, she left high school. She started working to help her mother pay for her brothers' and sisters' schooling.
Standing Up for Rights
From 1994 to 2002, Jenni Williams ran a public relations company. Her company worked for the Commercial Farmers' Union of Zimbabwe. This group represented farmers who owned land. Soon, her company faced problems with President Mugabe's government. He had a plan to take over farms owned by white people. This was part of a land reform program.
After Mugabe encouraged people to take over these farms by force, Jenni started to protest. She said that people's rights were being violated. She also believed that the best farms were given to Mugabe's friends. Because of her protests, the police bothered her. She had to close her company.
In 2002, Jenni helped create WOZA. This group was started by ordinary people. They felt that men in Zimbabwe were not doing enough to challenge the government. WOZA focused on peaceful public protests against Mugabe. Over the next few years, the group grew to have 70,000 members. Jenni and other WOZA leaders made a rule. They said that leaders must join the protests, even if they were dangerous. They believed in leading by example.
By 2008, the government had arrested Jenni 33 times for her work with WOZA. After one arrest in 2003, Amnesty International called her a "prisoner of conscience." This means someone is jailed for their beliefs. Human Rights Watch also spoke out against her arrests. They said the government should let Jenni and other WOZA leaders go. They also said people should be allowed to protest peacefully.
In mid-2008, after another arrest, the U.S. ambassador, James D. McGee, asked for her release. He said Jenni was an important person whose voice should be heard. He called the charges against her a "sham." She was released on bail the next day. In 2012, she was arrested for the 40th time. This happened during WOZA's yearly Valentine's Day march. The march celebrated the group's tenth anniversary.
Awards and Recognition
In 2007, Jenni Williams received the US government's International Women of Courage Award. This award honored her for being brave and leading others. She worked for change using peaceful methods. The award was given to her by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Two years later, in 2009, Jenni and WOZA co-leader Magodonga Mahlangu received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. US President Barack Obama presented this award. At the ceremony, Obama said they showed the women of WOZA and the people of Zimbabwe that they could challenge their oppressors. He said they could weaken a dictator's power with their own strength.
On International Women's Day in 2012, Jenni Williams received the Amnesty International's Ginetta Sagan Fund prize. This award honors women who protect the freedom and lives of women and children. It is given in places where human rights are often violated. Jenni received it for inspiring women to demand their rights in Zimbabwe.
Family Life
Jenni Williams is married to an electrician. They have three grown-up children. In the mid-2000s, her two sons followed their sister to the United Kingdom. This happened after threats were made to take the sons to youth groups. After losing his job several times, her husband also left Zimbabwe to join their children.
Jenni Williams continues to live in Zimbabwe. She keeps fighting for fairness and justice. This is despite the government making it harder for activists. In her free time, Jenni is researching her family history. She is looking into her Irish and Matabele roots.
See also
In Spanish: Jenni Williams para niños
