Girl Child Network

Located in Zimbabwe - Founded in 1999 - IDEX partner since 2001

Students at school in Hwange, Zimbabwe.

GCN has worked tirelessly and effectively to raise national and international awareness of the needs of the girl child.

Started as a network for girls at a few schools around Harare, GCN now serves over 60,000 girls through 700 official “Girls Clubs.” Girls learn about rape, incest, HIV/AIDS, prostitution, forced early marriage and other subjects of importance to the safety of adolescent girls of Zimbabwe.

GCN provides scholarships for 5,000 girls per year (covering the cost of school fees, uniforms, meals, books and other supplies). It also operates three “Empowerment Villages” (shelter and training centers for abused girls), and has a 24-hour emergency response program to assist victims of rape, abuse, and abandonment.

GCN has worked tirelessly and effectively to raise nationwide awareness of the needs of the girl child. The organization promotes justice and works to prevent impunity for rapists and perpetrators of violence.

Zimbabwe’s current economic and political turmoil has only intensified the challenges for girls. GCN continues its work through a satellite office in Botswana to conduct international advocacy and public outreach. Meanwhile, it continues to pay school fees for girls who are able to enroll in school.