Chansa Kabwela Cleared of Porn Charges!

Zambia’s Chansa Kabwela cleared of porn charges. Nov. 16, 2009Zambian Post editor Chansa Kabwela was cleared of pornography charges today in a Zambian courtroom.

Magistrate Charles Kafunda said prosecutors had failed to prove its case against the editor of the most influential paper in the southern African country.

Admittedly I’ve been concerned for Kabwela, because she didn’t have the international backing and coverage of Lubna Hussein. But we have prevailed. My own web traffic went through the roof yesterday around this case, and I have no doubt that Chansa would have become another Lubna, had the judge ruled against her.

She later told reporters outside the court that her acquittal was a victory for everyone affected by the doctors’ strike, which lasted two weeks in June.

“This victory to me is a victory for those that suffered during the strike. I was confident that I would be acquitted,” Kabwela said. via Times LIVE

This moment, Zambia’s President Banda is attending the international food summit in Rome.

President Zambia attends international food conference, as Chansa Kabwela’s verdict announced in Zambian courtroom.Imagine a Chansa verdict compelling her to stand trial, one that just might get the attention of journalists in Rome, in the world of Twitter, Facebook and ardent Kabwela supporters like Anne of Carversville readers.

More than ever, I believe in the power of the Internet and an international coalition of people that transcends nation, culture and religion that bands together to help each other deal with the challenges of human rights issues in all countries.

While we recognize national borders and customs, we recognize international Compassion as a higher value, a collective one for the 21st century and one that larger numbers of people embrace every day.

I wrote previously that we are gnats, mosquitos, comparatively powerless until we get big media’s attention.

It’s time to reframe this vision. We are FireFlies, Lubna’s International Arms Agents, committed to international women’s rights. Women are losing ground as often as gaining it.  I have no delusions; this is a potentially downhill battle, but for me, it’s is a fight to the finish. And I am not alone. 

Trust me when I tell you, there’s new girls in town. Anne

Firefly and Serenity: Defying Gravity in Honor of Chansa Kabwela

See Will Zambian President Banda Win Monday’s Baby Saving ‘Porn’ Hearing Against chansa Kabwela? Anne

Karen Armstrong’s Wish for Charter of Compassion Comes True

Drawing a Line in Lubna’s Sand, Saying ‘No More’ to the Growing, Global Erosion of Women’s Rights in the Name of Any Man’s Religion