The prominent Zimbabwean activist is among 70 experts the UK deployed this past weekend. She is the only Zimbabwean in the team. This is the most recent recognition of the work done by Makoni, a victim of childhood rape who has dedicated her life to fighting for the protection of girls.
“I am honoured to be part of this team,” she told The Zimbabwean in an interview.
Makoni, who lost her mother at a young age as a result of domestic violence, is a global award winner, renowned poet and speaker. She has been honoured by the United Nations, Women World Summit, Amnesty International and many high-profile international organizations for innovation and creativity in girls’ empowerment.
She is the founder of the Girl Child Network, which cares for Zimbabwe’s young sex abuse victims and has rescued more than 35,000 girls. The ordeals she suffered and these achievements inspired her to publish an autobiography, Never Again, which has been received well in Europe.
Meanwhile, Makoni and other experts will be deployed in the world’s political hotspots in the coming days as part of a new campaign to prevent the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Among such strife-torn countries is Syria, where they will train local health professionals how to respond to reports of sexual violence and help Syrian refugees and those working with them.
Later, the team will be deployed to at least four other countries this year – Libya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali, where sexual violence as a result of political disturbance is rife.
Post published in: News
Congratulations Betty!