Send Rural Girls to School in Zimbabwe

Sarah Dotlich, Africa Program Director for International Development Exchange has recently returned from visiting the Girl Child Network (GCN) where she met with girls benefiting from the continuously successful work of GCN. On November 19, World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, GCN staff and girl members took to the streets of Chitungwiza, a township outside of Harare, for a lively march to bring attention to the day and show the community that they will stand up against child abuse. They were met with cheers along the way. In addition the future is looking brighter with the prospect of a domestic violence bill becoming law, which will protect women and children. GCN was instrumental in shaping the bill and advocating for it to pass through the Zimbabwean parliament.

Sarah also met with Ruth Bikwa, GCN Area Coordinator for the Hwange District in western Zimbabwe where, with your continued support, GCN has: • paid for 62 girls to continue going to school this past semester, enabling them to graduate and even go on to university, • provided shelter and support for girls who were running from abusive homes or were orphaned and had no where else to turn, • held trainings for 20 teacher volunteers who donate their time to be coordinators of GCN’s girls clubs. These teachers learn how to counsel the girls, identify girls who are experiencing, abuse or who are in need to school-fee payment, and provide a strong role-model for the girls.

For Example, while in Zimbabwe, Sarah learned of 4 girls who were currently under the care of GCN in Hwange. One girl is HIV-positive and was kicked out of her home and 3 girls have been recently orphaned. If it was not for the GCN Empowerment Village they would have nowhere to go. Ruth is currently working to find homes for the girls. In the mean time, the girls have a safe place to stay and continue to go to school.

Thank you for your continued support of this impressive work.

IDEX congratulates our partner, Girl Child Network (GCN), on the announcement that the organization is a winner of the Red Ribbon Award: Celebrating Community Leadership and Action on AIDS. Based in Zimbabwe, GCN is the first winner of the Red Ribbon award for Addressing Gender Inequities that Fuel the HIV/AIDS Epidemic. The award was given to them at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto last month.

Sarah Dotlich, IDEX's Africa Program Director announced, "We have been watching their truly exceptional work grow since GCN's inception in 1998. It's fitting to see GCN receive international recognition that can only help them to further their objectives while providing a model of similar initiatives in the region."

To learn more about the compelling work of GCN come and hear one of the founding members speak. Memory Bandera will be in the Bay Area at the end of September and IDEX is hosting an event for her at the Women's Building, see below.

Links:

• For more information on GCN
• For more information on the Red Ribbon Award