Project Report
| Sep 4, 2008
September 2008 Update
By Katherine Zavala | Coordinator of Programs, IDEX
Girl Child Network of Zimbabwe co-sponsored a conversational reception at the International AIDS Conference, August 3-8, 2008 in Mexico City to feature empowered girl children who shared what they have gained from being part of GCN’s girls’ empowerment clubs.
Currently there are about 60,000 girls involved with GCN activities, mainly through its girl empowerment clubs. These clubs provides girl members to with a local support network and a forum to voice their abuses, challenges, needs and successes. It is also through the girl empowerment clubs that GCN is carrying out leadership development to young girls who are club presidents.
An 18-year old GCN girl club member attending this reception at the International AIDS Conference expressed the following:
“I used to not be good in public speaking but because of GCN and its trainings I am able to do this now. I also used to think that only a boy child could do everything but now I know that I can also do anything that I set my mind to. Anything is possible for me too.”
While Zimbabwe is facing many challenges, GCN is still operating providing critical support and education to girl children in Zimbabwe.
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Jun 4, 2008
June 2008 Update
By Katherine Zavala | Coordinator of Programs, IDEX
In the past year, GCN’s Community Development and Empowerment Program organized several activities for its HIV-prevention campaigns that included sensitization of traditional and church leaders on gender, HIV/AIDS and sexual abuse.
GCN organized a workshop with 44 traditional and church leaders in Chiredzi to impart knowledge on girl child abuse, gender and HIV/AIDS. Participants were encouraged to participate in a dialogue about the above-mentioned topics and their relation to the patriarchy that exists in their communities. As a result of this workshop, there was an increased commitment of traditional and religious leaders to reduce girl child abuse.
GCN Award Update
Betty Makoni, founder of Girl Child Network (GCN) in Zimbabwe was awarded the 2008 Ginetta-Sagan Award for Women's and Children's Rights.
“We are transforming victims into survivors, survivors into leaders. We help girls stand on their own feet and fight back against violence and exploitation.” Betty Makoni.
This prestigious award, overseen by Amnesty International, comes at a time of even greater uncertainty in Zimbabwe. The results of the Zimbabwe Presidential election is now heading off to a run-off on June 27, in the midst of growing violence in the country.
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Mar 6, 2008
March 2008 Update
By Katherine Zavala | Program Coordinator, IDEX
Since the beginning of this year’s project, GCN has conducted emergency intervention and rescue operations for 43 girls in the Hwange District. These interventions include a 24-hour response team and removal of the girl from her home or the abusive situation. These abuses include sexual, emotional, physical, economic and neglect. Acquiring fuel and transport at all hours of the night and day is no small feat in Zimbabwe these days, and yet GCN staff is still able to respond to the needs of the girls in the rural community outside Victoria Falls. During this time, GCN took note of an increase in sexual abuse cases perpetrated by relatives likely due to the increased economic strain on the people of Zimbabwe.
In addition, during this time, 58 girls were provided with school fees. One of these girls, GCN is proud to say is now writing her exams for university entrance (called A levels) after being supported by GCN since she was in Form 1 (the equivalent of 6th grade in the US). She is also a rape survivor.
At this time, GCN also continues to provide meals on a daily basis for 40 girls at the Empowerment Center.
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