These are our Human Rights – Education, Health, Food Security, Shelter, Clean Water – Know Them, Demand Them!
“Development through radio is an eye opener and I cannot wait to hear my voice on the national radio. The problems we are facing will be heard by others including government officials.”
Mrs. Zulu from Kampumba in Kampiri-Mposhi
‘Know Them Demand Them’ project, supported by Comic Relief, was launched at the beginning of 2007 through the solid partnership between One World Action and Women for Change (WfC). Since 1991, SfC has worked with and empowers remote rural communities, especially women, in Zambia to contribute towards gender sensitive sustainable development and the eradication of all forms of poverty. Know Them Demand Them aims specifically to reduce the poverty of vulnerable women and girls living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and to strengthen their capacity to voice their rights and access resources in a more responsive political and public environment.
‘Know Them Demand Them’ strengthens the capacity of WfC Area Associations and community groups to deliver more effective development, awareness-raising and advocacy programmes to support rural women and girls. Through this programme, WfC is advocating for the formulation and implementation of gender sensitive and just national policies, laws and programmes responsive to demands and needs of rural communities affected by HIV/AIDS. The production of fact sheets, radio programmes and video documentaries is essential to support rural communities, especially women, in lobbying for their issues to be included in the public agenda. For example, in late 2007 WfC prepared a documentary, together with the communities they work in, to highlight their success in improving the lives of the poor rural women. This was aired on ZNBC television as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations.
Consultative meetings are just as important for the delivery of WfC work. These meetings represent an opportunity for WfC to develop its networking activities both at a national and international level, and to gather together district representatives and traditional leaders such as chiefs and village heads. For example, some WfC group members from Kapiri-Mposhi, Mumbwa and Kaoma travelled to Lusaka to participate in a consultative meeting on the constitution-making process of Zambia. This added a rural voice to the constitution debate and stresses the importance of these forums in empowering the most marginalised.
