Women's Action Group

WOMEN’S ACTION GROUP PROFILE 1. Background Women’s Action Group (WAG) was founded in 1983. It was the violation of the human rights of black women by a black government which gave birth to this organisation. WAG was formed following the arrest and incarceration of over 6 000 women from October to December 1983 under Operation Clean up and its purpose was to round up single women and charge them as prostitutes. Thousands of women were arrested and detained. It was the arbitrary arrest and denial of freedom for the women of Zimbabwe that saw a handful of ordinary women taking up the fight against injustice. Since then, WAG never looked back on advocating for women’s rights. The organisation was registered as an Educational Trust in 1987 and has gained consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Consultative Social Council (ECOSOC). 1.1 Vision WAG’s vision is a Zimbabwe with empowered women and girls claiming and enjoying their rights in a situation of transformed power relations between women and men. The core purpose of the organisation is to champion women’s rights in Zimbabwe. 1.2 Mission statement WAG’s mission statement is to develop products and tools for unlocking women’s power to claim and enjoy their rights in violence free and rights conscious communities. The main programme areas for WAG include HIV & AIDS, Sexual reproductive health and rights and Gender based violence. 1.3 Core purpose WAG’s core purpose is to champion women’s rights in Zimbabwe. 2. Programme thematic areas 2.1 HIV AND AIDS The programme advocates for specific HIV and AIDS policies that are sensitive to the needs of women and girls as well as empowering them to assert their rights to safer sex to prevent HIV infection Objectives • To raise awareness among communities particularly women and girls on HIV and AIDS , gender and negative cultural practices increasing women’s vulnerability to HIV and AIDS • To advocate for policies on HIV and AIDS, that are sensitive to the specific needs of women and that promote quality health service provision for women • To empower women through information sharing to assert their right to safer sex to prevent HIV infection • To actively participate in national, regional and international processes on HIV and AIDS and articulate the concerns of women, as part of the global response to HIV and AIDS 2.2 GENDER BASED VIOLENCE The programme touches on all aspects of women’s lives (public and private domain). The battle to free women from violence is fought on many angles including legislative reform, legal advice, counselling and representation and awareness raising campaigns. Objectives • To increase national awareness on the negative impact of gender based violence on women and girls. • To empower communities particularly women to fight and prevent gender based violence in their lives • To advocate for policies and laws that address gender inequalities and gender based violence • To contribute to international, regional and national strategies and interventions to eradicate gender based violence 2.3 SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS WAG is focusing on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights programme to promote strategies that respect the sexual and reproductive health rights and needs of women and girls. Objectives • To promote gender equality in sexual and reproductive health and rights • To lobby for access to quality health care services in Zimbabwe • To raise community awareness and encourage them to come up initiatives and strategies that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights • To contribute to national, regional and international strategies and interventions to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights 2.4 AREAS OF OPERATION All the three programmes operate at community and national level. WAG engages in awareness raising campaigns and training on addressing the intersections of HIV, gender based violence and women’s rights. WAG engages communities in dialogue on issues that affect them and come up with their own initiatives and solutions that promote the enjoyment of women’s rights. WAG also focuses on lobbying and advocacy for gender sensitive laws and policies. The organisations also works closely with the policy makers (the women’s caucus, parliamentary portfolio on health) to ensure that they commit to the international and regional instruments on women’s rights that Zimbabwe has ratified. 3. Technical expertise Women’s Action Group has experience in the field of gender equality and gender-based violence programming having worked in 26 Districts under the Integrated Support Programme (ISP) on prevention of GBV. Under the same programme, WAG demonstrated its expertise in capacity building through training of Behaviour Change Facilitators (BCFs) on integrating GBV in HIV programming in 13 Districts. WAG also made an input into the GBV training manual that was developed for BCFs. WAG has also demonstrated its training expertise through multi-sectoral training in 26 ISP Districts that resulted in the development of District level referral pathways for the 26 Districts. WAG has also developed training material for other programmes on gender equality such as the training manual for Community Based Advocates under the UN Women H4+ programme and has also developed GBV training manuals for training of service providers, civil society organisations and Community Based Advocates under the Amplify Change programme. WAG also has dedicated staff who have technical expertise in gender equality programming. Of particular interest has been WAG’s contribution to national priorities and its commitment to preventing GBV as one of its key strategic objectives under the current and past organisation strategic frameworks. One of WAG’s flagship that has been championed over the years has been the production of booklets and the Speak Out magazine which requires fluency in both English and Shona as well as writing and editorial expertise. Through the production of other materials such as training manuals, WAG has also improved their ability to write concisely and produce material that has been shared globally through the website and other media channels. Other key competencies WAG believes that with teamwork the organisation can achieve greater results as individuals have diverse expertise. WAG also has respect for diversity having worked with diverse groups of people across ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles. The current programmes on gender equality requires WAG to have the aptitude to fit in different societies with different cultures and religions such as the Tonga people, apostolic sects, sex workers and persons with disabilities while maintaining respect of their differences. WAG also values communication as a key component in coordinating programmes and have reputable communication structures with its partners. WAG has a good track record in delivering programme objectives and this has been demonstrated through its commitment to achieving results in all programmes undertaken. 4. Staff Skills Speciality Area Public Health Expert and RH and Gender Specialist (Director) GBV Officer Expert M and E Officer Experience in Public Health in Zimbabwe √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Communication skills √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Appreciation of SRHR √√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Knowledge of GBV √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Knowledge of HIV & AIDS √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Training skills √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Development of manuals √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Ability to research, analyse, evaluate, synthesize and present information √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Writing skills √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√ Facilitating meetings and innovative/effective methodologies √√√√√ √√√√√ √√√√√