Girl Child Network (Zimbabwe)
The Director of the Girl Child Network, Betty Makoni (left), with Tara Doolan |
I have been working at the Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe now since mid-May, and I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed! I have to admit I was somewhat apprehensive about coming to Zimbabwe, but I am so happy that I did.
The Director of the Girl Child Network (GCN), Betty Makoni, has been a terrific source of guidance and inspiration, and she has allowed me considerable freedom to carve out a place for myself within the organization. My work here has involved working on 4 major projects, which I will describe in turn:
1. Child Sexual Offences Bill
I began the summer by drafting legislation aimed at helping protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. At present, no such legislation exists to offer specific protection to children, and so GCN took the initiative to begin drafting a bill called the Child Sexual Offences Bill. When I arrived, GCN had successfully lobbied stakeholders and policy makers to support the bill but the actual legislation was still in draft form. Since GCN does not really have anyone with a legal background, I was given the task of revising and editing the bill. I researched the relevant Zimbabwean laws, and using the Canadian and British laws as a guide, helped GCN to come up with a final draft, which we have since submitted to the Minister of Justice in Harare.
2. Preparing Child-Friendly Legal Information
After working on the Child Sexual Offences Bill, I began reviewing cases of child abuse and rape on file at the GCN offices. I was asked to identify possible problems in the prosecution process that could explain the difficulty in obtaining convictions in cases of rape and sexual assault. I noticed that one of the major problems was the actual testimony given by victims, who were seldom prepared for the difficulties of testifying about such painful personal experiences. To address this problem, I have been working on preparing a child-friendly information source for our clients, which will include: a simplified explanation of the laws that exist to protect children, information on the prosecution process, tips on testifying, a diagram of the courtroom and glossary of legal terms, etc.
3. Three Year Strategic Plan for GCN
My third major project has been assisting with GCN's strategic planning report. GCN decided to draft a three-year strategic plan that outlines the programs it is planning on implementing over the next three years. The report will be used as a resource for donor interested in funding GCN. I have worked closely with the Director helping to draft and revise this document for use in making grant proposals.
4. Attempting to Create a Partnership between UofT, and possibly the LIFT project, and GCN.
I have been in contact with the UofT LIFT project interns in Botswana, and they have expressed interest in creating a partnership with GCN. Last week, Graeme Hamilton, another UofT student working on the LIFT project in Botswana, visited Zimbabwe to interview the Director of GCN, and tour the organizations offices. We also did a field visit to one of GCN's "Empowerment Villages" - the sites where abused girls are offered temporary shelter and counselling to assist in their rehabilitation. Graeme was very impressed with GCN and we have begun to consider a possible partnership between LIFT and GCN. In the event that GCN is not chosen to partner with LIFT, I am still very interested in continuing to work with GCN from UofT, perhaps through the creation of a IHRP working group. I have spoken to the Director of GCN about this and she would be very interested in continuing to work with UofT and, if possible, host another intern next year!
Girls at the girls' empowerment village in Rusape, Zimbabwe |
In addition to these four main projects, I have also been fortunate enough to participate in one of GCN's "rescue missions" - which involved travelling with the Director into the remote villages in the hills of eastern Zimbabwe to remove several girls at risk of abuse and to hold an informal tribunal with village chiefs, elders, and police officers to halt the planned marrying off of several young girls, who were being offered to an older man in order to "appease avenging spirits." This was an incredible experience and allowed me the opportunity to develop an appreciation for the deep-rooted cultural and traditional practices which can sometimes complicate efforts to seek the advancement of women and girls.
Finally, I have also had the opportunity to participate in many campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the link between HIV-AIDS and child-abuse and to attend numerous workshops with other NGOs in Zimbabwe. These events have given me the opportunity to network with other aid workers, both domestic and foreign, in Zimbabwe. For example, I have had the opportunity to meet several times with the Director of CIDA in Zimbabwe, and also with the Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with an organization and a Director for whom I have so much respect. Over the last few months I have observed many NGOs working on the ground in Zimbabwe, and what I have come to admire most about GCN is that it is truly a grassroots organization. In contrast to many large organizations based in Harare and working on advocacy, the Girl Child Network is located in the rural townships, which puts the organization in a strategic position to reach out to the most vulnerable girls in the poverty-stricken rural areas. In addition to promoting the empowerment of these girls through local girls' empowerment clubs (there are over 350 clubs, which are operated through schools across the country), they also provide much needed emergency aid in the form of school fees, medical supplies, sanitary ware, and other basic supplies to girls in need.
Working with an NGO in such a challenging political and economic environment has been an incredibly enriching and educational experience. I have come to appreciate the unique challenge involved in pursuing an agenda of social change alongside an often-hostile government and at the mercy of foreign donors, many of whom have their own ideas about development. Finally, I have come to respect and admire the resilience and strength of the people of Zimbabwe, whose spirit and energy in the face of so much hardship has been a great source of inspiration for me. In all of my travels, never have I experienced such generosity and warmth as a foreigner. I feel so grateful for the time that I have spent in Zimbabwe and while I regret that my time here is nearly finished, I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with the Girl Child Network and with Zimbabwe in the coming years!
Tara Doolan (right) visits the girls' empowerment village in Rusape, Zimbabwe
