Oxfam in Southern Africa

Today, on World Human Rights Day, we stand together to affirm the theme: "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now."  At Oxfam, we believe that human rights are the foundation of a just and equitable world. The time to act is NOW, to protect the dignity, freedom, and equality of every individual.  Let’s build a future where everyone has access to opportunities, security, and justice. Join us in the fight for human rights, because when we uphold rights, we create a brighter future for all.  #HumanRightsDay #OurRightsOurFutureRightNow #Oxfam #JusticeForAll  

Message from Yvonne Chibiya, Oxfam in Zambia Country Representative: *  "As we conclude the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, let’s remember: the fight to end violence against women and girls does not end here. Under this year’s theme, “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” we reaffirm our commitment to a world free from violence, inequality, and injustice. This journey demands action from all of us, governments, organizations, communities, and individuals. Together, we can build safer, more equitable societies for everyone, everywhere. Let’s keep the momentum going. The time for change is NOW! 💪  #EndGBV #BeijingPlus30 #UniteToEndViolence #GenderEquality #Oxfam 

💚 With the financial support from Start Network and implementing in partnership with HOCIC ZIMBABWE and Department of Social Development under the African Risk Capacity Replica Project, Oxfam has reached to 20,485 individuals in the district! This area, classified as region 5️⃣ of Zimbabwe's agro-ecological zones, faces severe challenges due to long dry spells and persistent droughts, receiving only 350 mm - 600 mm of rainfall annually. In response to the urgent need for food security, we've implemented a program delivering essential food items through commodity vouchers. Each beneficiary receiving a food basket each month for three months, including: 🌾 10 kg of mealie meal 🫘 1.5 kg of sugar beans 🛢️ 750 ml of cooking oil 🌟 Here’s what one beneficiary had to say: "Thank you for the support. This food aid has made a huge difference for my family during these tough times. We now have enough to eat, and it gives us hope for the future.” #FoodSecurity #DroughtResponse #CommunitySupport

“My name is Alefa Josephy and I live in Balaka district [Malawi]. As a mother, it gives me great joy to see my son going to school each day as he pursues his dream to become a doctor. I watch him every day start the day with so much hope and faith. This would not be possible if it was not for JNF [Judith Neilson Foundation]. “Due to financial challenges, it was difficult for me to pay for all his school needs especially when he started his Secondary school. He is now in form 2 and JNF gave him a bursary. Their support has really changed my home. I have a happy son.”. Alefa is mother to 17-year-old Rabson Bamusi who is supported by Oxfam in Malawi and Center for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC) under their Education Support Programmed financed by JNF in Balaka district. Through the project, Oxfam and CAVWOC provide bursaries, changerooms, bicycles, uniforms and school materials, menstrual hygiene kits, and capacity building and strengthening various Community Action Groups they work with. #16DaysofActivism #NotoGBV #EndGBVNow

“Other than making and distributing reusable sanitary pads to curb school dropouts and absenteeism, we also provide menstrual hygiene lessons to ensure girls are confident and comfortable during their periods. In the past we used to have girls dropping out of school or missing classes because they were shy when boys notice they are on their period, or could not afford pads,” said Annie Sikweya, Chairperson for Buke Primary School Mother Group in Balaka district, Malawi. She shared this when a team from Judith Neilson Foundation (JNF), and Oxfam Australia, Upenyu Mawande,Sabine Reiser and Adeeba Hanif, visited some schools in Balaka district that Oxfam in Malawi and Centre for Alternatives for Victimised Women and Children are supporting under their Education Support for Vulnerable Children Project with financial support from JNF. During the visit, the mother group, Chiefs, parents, teachers, and students shared their experiences on how the Oxfam and Cawvoc’s project is transforming lives and contributing to the fight against Gender based violence including ending early marriages and teen pregnancies. Through the project, Oxfam and CAVWOC provide bursaries, construct changerooms, bicycles, uniforms and school materials, menstrual hygiene kits, and capacity building and strengthening various Community Action Groups they work with. #16DaysofActivism #NotoGBV #MenstrualHygiene

SECURING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE FOR GBV SURVIVORS “I sell fritters, but I do not make profit as expected. I did not know the importance of understanding who you are targeting and how to make your business competitive. This business and finance management training has helped me identify areas I need to improve on to grow my business”, says Thokozani Kamoto. Thokozani, a mother of two, comes from Traditional Authority Jenala in Phalombe district, Malawi. she said this during a skills development training for gender-based violence survivors in the district that built and strengthened the capacity of the survivors in business and finance management as one step towards empowering them financially. The training, organized by Centre for Alternatives for Victimised Women and Children , is part of the Reducing Poverty and Inequality in Malawi Project which the organization is implementing together with Oxfam in Malawi with funding from Irish Aid Among others, the women, forty in total, were trained in soap and petroleum jelly production, tailoring, and business and finance management to support them attain financial independence. “We have tailors from our villages that are here to teach us, and CAVWOC and Oxfam have given us sewing machines. One year from now [September 2024], I believe I will not be the same. I will be able to support my two children. I also plan to grow my business and build a house,” adds Thokozani. #16DaysofActivism #NotoGBV #ICSP

This afternoon, one of Oxfam in Zambia’s "I Care About Her" Campaign Champions, Mutale Kani, took center stage as host of a special program for ZANIS TV as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV. Joining the conversation on youth involvement in the fight against GBV were inspiring junior councilors from Lusaka City Council: Junior Deputy Mayor Walusungu Zimba and Junior Ward Councilor for Lubwa Ward, Ellen Chiyoowa. Together, they highlighted the power of young voices in driving change and creating a safer future for all. 🌍 #16DaysOfActivism #YouthVoices #EndGBV #ICareAboutHer

As one step towards ensuring that there is speedy justice involving Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases, Oxfam in Malawi and Centre for Alternatives for Victimised Women and Children are working with the magistrate courts and Police in Phalombe and Balaka districts, Malawi, in facilitating mobile courts that take justice close to the people. The initiative which is being funded by Oxfam Hong Kong enables remote communities to access court justice without facing the financial burdens they often do when traveling long distances to access district designated courtrooms. This video highlights one of the sessions held early this year in Phalombe district where His Worship Leonard Mtosa, First Grade Magistrate for Phalombe Magistrate court facilitated a mobile court session and heard five cases in which four were sexual harassment offences involving minors. #16DaysofActivism #NotoGBV #Justice4All https://lnkd.in/dZUEeKqm

Having laws in place is not enough! We must unite and ensure gender related laws and policies are enforced! #16DaysofActivism #NotoGBV

A MOTORBIKE TO SERVE LIVES Sub inspector Ronald Khaniwa of Chitekesa Police Unit in Malawi’s Phalombe district, has expressed gratitude to Oxfam in Malawi and Centre for Alternatives for Victimised Women and Children for providing a motorbike and stationery to support their work in managing gender-based violence related cases in the area. This, he says, has enabled the unit to quickly respond to calls from the community when there is a suspected case, arresting suspects, and ensuring that gender-based violence survivors are provided with necessary care on time. “We have a catchment area of about 80 thousand people with some living very far from the police unit. In the past, it was difficult to reach some of the areas whenever there was a suspected gender-based violence case. We only had a motorbike provided by the court which was not in good condition for long runs,” says Sub inspector Khaniwa. From the time they received the bike at the of the year 2024, Khaniwa says the unit has been able able to follow up to 70% of reported cases. He added that: “We also work closely with community actions groups, such as the Community Victim Support Unit, in identifying and managing cases, and raising awareness about gender-based violence. Now more people are beginning to understand the law. The mobile courts [another initiative by Oxfam and CAVWOC under its Education Support Project] is also helping to speed up critical cases because the court comes right in the community.” The Motorbike was provided under the ‘Reducing Poverty and Inequality in Malawi’ project, funded by Irish Aid. Khaniwa however highlighted fuel costs as one key setback in the management of cases as they are serving a huge catchment area. #16DaysofActivism #NoToGBV #ICSP