Women’s Action Group
Women's Action Group (WAG) is a non-governmental organisation whose work centres on empowering women and girls to enjoy their rights in violence-free and rights-conscious communities. WAG believes that violence against women and girls is a predicament to the enjoyment of women's economic and social rights. WAG programs focus on prevention of violence against women, promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights and prevention of HIV. Violence against women has over the years been manifesting itself in various forms in both public and domestic spaces. Violence is directly linked to gender roles and expectations. The organisation is an affiliate of ZESN.
Vision
A Zimbabwe with empowered women and girls claiming and enjoying their rights in a situation of transformed power relations between women and men.
Mission
To develop products and tools for unlocking women’s and girls’ power to claim and enjoy their rights in violence-free and rights-conscious communities.
WAG Values
- Commitment
- Purpose
- Respect
- Integrity
- Learning
Thematic areas
Prevention of HIV and AIDS
Women still constitute the majority of the people living with HIV. As a result of this high prevalence among women, WAG has identified HIV and AIDS as one of its primary focus areas. The goal of this thematic area is to achieve zero new infections, zero HIV and AIDS deaths and zero discrimination. Women’s Action Group’s work on HIV and AIDS aims at addressing gender dynamics and cultural practices that fuel the spread of HIV. Engagement with traditional leaders is also done to challenge patriarchal values that foster male control over female sexuality. The WAG HIV and AIDS programme also responds in line with national policies and priorities such as those stated in the Zimbabwe National Strategic Plan (ZNASP), the National behaviour change strategy, SADC Protocol on Gender and Development among others. The focus on HIV and AIDS is also linked with other WAG thematic areas which are Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and prevention of Gender-Based Violence, as these are fundamental issues that need to be addressed in order to reduce the vulnerability of women to HIV and AIDS.
Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)
There are a number of economic, social, cultural factors and gender dynamics that hinder women’s control of their sexuality and enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health rights. Due to the current economic situation and lack of access to quality healthcare, there is an increase in maternal and infant mortality. WAG is focusing on SRHR to promote gender equality as defined by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994. The focus on SRHR is both at a national level and community levels. At a community level, WAG engages in awareness campaigns and training. It also creates platforms for men and women to discuss initiatives and solutions that promote and ensure the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health rights and access to quality healthcare. WAG unpacks issues of cultural practices that hinder women from asserting their SRHR. At a national level, the focus is on lobbying and advocacy for access to quality and affordable health services.
Prevention of Gender-Based Violence
From its inception WAG has always been advocating and defending women’s rights in line with the provisions of the CEDAW, SADC protocol on gender and Development among other policies and guidelines. The battle to free women has been fought from many angles including legislative reform, legal advice, counselling and awareness raising campaigns. In Zimbabwe and other countries, gender-based violence continues to be a problem that haunts communities especially women and girls. WAG took the strategic decision to address gender-based violence following the realization that violence is a daily occurrence.
