Betty Makoni speaks out in The New York Times

Zimababwe has been in the world's spotlight since the elections earlier this year. Betty Makoni, a founding member of Girl Child Network, has kept IDEX informed of what has been happening as she sees it. Some of the stories have been truly distressing.

Speaking out the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City this week Betty Makoni said:

“Rape is being used as a weapon of political intimidation to instill fear in us, our families and communities.”

Betty has been working to document cases of abuse as a result of the elections. AIDS-Free World, an advocacy organization investigating rape as a political weapon is reviewing many of the cases with the goal of prosecuting the cases.

Read the full story here.

Betty Makoni Recipient of 2008 Ginetta-Sagan Award

IDEX is excited to announce that Betty Makoni, founder of Girl Child Network (GCN) in Zimbabwe has been awarded the 2008 Ginetta-Sagan Award for Women's and Children's Rights.

“We are transforming victims into survivors, survivors into leaders. We help girls stand on their own feet and fight back against violence and exploitation.” Betty Makoni.

Since we first started supporting Betty and GCN, IDEX has been inspired by her work. It was a great honor for IDEX to nominate Betty for this award and even greater pleasure to know that her work and that of GCN is being so widely recognized.

This prestigious award, overseen by Amnesty International, comes at a time of even greater uncertainty in Zimbabwe. The results of the Zimbabwe Presidential election still undeclared nearly 2 week after the election and growing tension in the country.

Amnesty International has organized An Evening With Betty Makoni on April 23, 2008 at the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco. If you wish to attend, please RSVP by April 18 with Katia Roux on (415) 252-1750, ext. 203.

News from Zimbabwe and GCN

Author and filmmaker Michealene Risley recently traveled to Zimbabwe to visit IDEX partner, Girl Child Network (GCN) and founding member Betty Makoni.

Betty and Michealene had met during a visit to the US where Betty had inspired and impressed Michealene. Michealene's trip to Zimbabwe was to document the abuse of girls in Africa for her upcoming film Tapestries of Hope. The trip unfortunately did not go as planned as Michealene and Betty were both arrested. After being held for three days, Michealene was subsequently deported.

You can read Michealene's account of her trip at the
Huffington Post and also visit the Tapestries of Hope blog to read more about her trip and the incredible work of GCN and Betty Makoni.

Betty was also released without being charged, but was arrested again on August 30 after appearing on a Zimbabwe television show. Betty was released the next day, but her activities remain under a close watch from the Zimbabwe government.

Betty Makoni and Girl Child Network continue to offer sanctuary and hope for many girls in Zimbabwe. We at IDEX support them as they continue their heroic work.