Author: Nqobile

Supporting schools and vulnerable children during Covid -19 pandemic

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On the 19th of June 2020 FAWEZI handed over personal protective equipment, reusable sanitary wear, and food packs at Madziwa Mine Primary & Secondary, at Wadzanai Primary & Secondary, and at Mingchang Primary School, all in Shamva.

This was done to complement efforts in enhancing the level of preparedness for school opening in line with COVID-19 prevention requirements. The PPE included face masks, tippy tap buckets, disinfectants, and overalls. FAWEZI also handed over food hampers and sanitary pads to vulnerable children in the same schools. Sanitary wear may not be everyone’s priority right now but menstruation has not stopped.

The food hampers are also to cushion parents and guardians during this time. Health officials and Police VFU were present and gave information on COVID-19, use and disposal of pads, and how to report any forms of abuse and violence during the current lockdown.

The donation came under the project titled ‘Empowered Adolescents for Improved Quality of Life.” FAWEZI is implementing the project with support from Action Aid Zimbabwe and in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) and Aids Counselling Trust (ACT).

Orientation of Non Teaching staff on responding to SGBV, SRH and harmful practices

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On the 9th of July FAWEZI held an orientation of non-teaching staff in primary and secondary schools at Chimhanda High School – Rushinga District.  The training focused on identification, reporting, and responding to sexual GBV. SRHR and harmful practices. This activity came under the project – Prevention and Social Norms to End Violence against Women and Girls – Spotlight Initiative. To kick start the project in the Rushinga District we held a Stakeholders meeting to discussing opportunities for partnerships in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. We discussed what initiatives have worked in addressing SGBV in the past, what facilities are in place to assist young women, and what other Spotlight Initiative partners are currently working on.

Second phase- teacher training on Child Safeguarding and National Case management

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On the 27th and 29th of July FAWEZI trained the second group of teachers on Child Safeguarding and the National Case Management System in Shamva and Chitungwiza respectively.  In attendance were Guidance and Counselling teachers and School Heads from project schools in Chitungwiza, and representatives from the Provincial and District Offices. Facilitators included Police VFU, officers from District Social Welfare, Health professionals, and FAWEZI. This activity was part of the project “Empowered Adolescent Girls for Improved Quality of Life.  FAWEZI is implementing the project with support from Action Aid Zimbabwe (AAZ) and in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) and AIDS Counselling Trust (ACT).

Call for abstracts

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FAWE is inviting educators, students, researchers, business and industry leaders, scientists and
representatives of non-profit, private, and public agencies to submit abstracts for consideration.
Interested applicants should focus on one of the following five sub-themes:-.
i. Increasing girls’ participation in STEM – STEM pervades every part of our lives and STEM careers
are often referred to as the jobs of the future, pay higher, drive innovation, social wellbeing,
inclusive growth and sustainable development (UNESCO, 2017) yet, girls still remain under
represented in STEM subjects. FAWE is interested in innovations that would increase girls’
participation and performance in STEM. The conference will critically evaluate impact, point at
innovations and trends for improvements.

ii. Responsive and Quality Technical and Vocational Education (TVET): African Union implores its
members to innovate ways to create decent jobs for all in the future. The conference will explore
glaring gaps that impede success in TVET and show case the work of the youth. There will be
specific focus to provide practical examples related to quality, relevance, and employability;
curriculum and training; academic and physical infrastructure development; instruction materials,
training equipment and tools; TVET management and institutional leadership; partnerships and
linkages with industry and the private sector; attractiveness of TVET; TVET strategy and policy
formulation; financing; gender equality; and knowledge management.

iii. Teacher Capacity building (Gender Responsive Pedagogy) for STEM: Countries in sub-Saharan
Africa are confronted with the formidable challenge of realizing quality, inclusive and equitable
education for social transformation and development. FAWE will be interested in papers that
explore innovations that governments in Africa must adopt to further address gender disparities
in education. The conference will discuss successes of GRP in STEM and inclusive strategies such
as curriculum reviews to include a gender lens, rewriting textbooks to remove gender
stereotypes, creating gender-responsive school environments, constructing separate sanitary
facilities for boys and girls, promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and
recruiting more female teachers to achieve gender balance.

iv. Education Policies for STEM: Having gender responsive policies in a number of African countries
and governments committing to supporting and promoting women’s education has not
necessarily translated to the aspired action. FAWE is interested in strategies that translate STEM
policies into action and benefits thereto.

v. Lessons and opportunities on education management during a pandemic: The impact of the
Corona Virus (COVID-19) is so far one of the most devastating pandemics in the world that has
affected learning leading to low learning outcomes, high dropout rates and low resilience to
shocks.

Hard-won gains in access to education could stagnate or reverse with extended school
closure. Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable due to increased exposure to risks of
sexual exploitation, child labor, child marriage and early pregnancy just to mention a few. FAWE
is interested in discussions on preparedness and gender responsive approaches during the crisis
in the education sector.

Evaluation of Abstracts: Abstracts will be peer reviewed and successful writers will be invited to develop
full papers for presentation at the conference. The papers should articulate novel, relevant and viable
ideas that contribute to implementation of effective policies and programme approaches for girls’
acquisition of 21st Century skills in line with the themes indicated above.
Submission guidelines:

The length of the abstracts should be a maximum of 1000 words excluding references/bibliography. The
recommended font type is Calibri Body and the size should be 12. Margins should be normal that is 2.54
cm all round and line spacing 1.15. Language will be French and English. The abstracts MUST include
name(s), affiliations and contact details of the author(s).
Abstracts should be addressed to the Executive Director with Subject: FAWE Conference on Girls’
education in Africa, 2020 emailed to stem@fawe.org and received not later than Friday 24th July

FAWEZI HOLDS 5TH AGM

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Forum for African Women Educationalists-Zimbabwe Chapter (FAWEZI) held its 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 30th of August 2019. The AGM ran under the theme “Promoting Equitable, Inclusive, and Quality Lifelong Education in Zimbabwe.” It was attended by FAWEZI members from all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe and other senior education officials including Provincial Education Directors, District Schools Inspectors and School Heads.

Speaking at the event the Guest of Honour Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Paul Mavima commended FAWEZI for the work that it is doing is supporting government efforts in the education system of Zimbabwe.

“Over the years FAWEZI has become a key strategic partner to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. It has a noble goal, that of supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable children to access education and perform well up to the highest level possible.” He said.

“The Ministry cherishes with interest this special goal as it resonates well with its focus on promoting equitable access to quality education.”

The event was also graced by the Executive Director of Forum for African Women Educationalists- (FAWE) Martha Muhwezi who also commended FAWEZI for organising the 5th AGM. Former Minister Fay Chung (founding member of FAWE) was also present.

Representatives from the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, and Action Aid Zimbabwe also attended and gave solidarity speeches during the event. Towards the end of the event the reigning National Executive Committee (NEC) was dissolved and elections were held thereby putting in place a new NEC.

The FAWEZI Alumi and current beneficiaries were also present .The AGM was held at Queen Elizabeth High School in Harare.