In many sub-Saharan African countries, judicial systems and traditional courts still fail to recognize domestic violence as a crime. Violence may be considered an appropriate response if a wife argues with her husband, fails to have food ready at meal time, or goes out without her husband’s permission. Last November, Camfed teamed up with Padare, an organization in Zimbabwe partnering with men to tackle the imbalance in relationships that leads to violence against women. Together, Camfed and Padare are engaging community leaders and young men in workshops about the need to identify and address barriers to women’s equality.

Here, Usher Mande, who coordinates the partnership between Camfed and Padare talks about how the two organizations are creating a safe space where men can discuss gender roles.

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As the leader of a Mother Support Group in Wedza district of Zimbabwe, southeast of Harare, Alice Jaure oversees a group of other mothers in her community in their efforts to alleviate poverty and suffering. Here, her husband Elijah talks about the ways in which her work has challenged his thinking and inspired him to make his own contribution to the community. (more…)

By Ian Chivers, Managing Director of Country Management, Merrill Lynch

It was with mixed emotions that I arrived at Harare Airport at 9pm on a damp evening. Almost 25 years ago my wife and I had spent two exciting and highly personally rewarding years working in the newly independent Zimbabwe. Kate had worked for an educational publisher and I for a government organisation – providing loans to commercial and communal farmers. It was very much a time of great hope and promise for the future. (more…)

We are delighted to announce that the Women’s World Summit Foundation in Switzerland has awarded Angeline Mugwendere the Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life. (more…)

Camfed Zimbabwe recently brought together a group of 14 traditional leaders from nine districts as part of a pioneering project to tackle domestic violence in rural areas. Working in partnership with local organisations, the goal was to challenge head-on some of the traditionally held values that affect young rural women – ranging from child abuse and rape to virginity testing and early marriage. (more…)

In Zimbabwe, hundreds of thousands of children will not be celebrating Mother’s Day this year. Nearly one million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. And 3,000 more people are dying from AIDS every week. Traditional safety nets are unravelling. Extended family and communities are struggling to care for the thousands of children who are left without parents. (more…)