SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Name: John C. Magocha
Registration No: R108121A
Programme: HSW IV
Course: Project Planning and Management 1 (HSW 404)
Lecturer: Mr E. Mthethwa
Question: Write a project proposal for seeking funding for a civil society advocacy programme from Irish Aid
Due Date: 25 September 2015
A Call to Action: Campaign to End Child Marriages through Social Mobilisation, Behaviour Change Communication and Advocacy for Legislative Review in Honde Valley, Mutasa District
Name of applicant Organisation
Project Duration: 24months from Jaunary2018 to December 2020
Amount Requested: Euro 102 000
Implementing Agency Inputs Qualified Human Resources, including Social Workers, Gender Specialists and Development Experts
Contact Person: Yvonne Nyamavaka (Project Manager) +253712936313, +263775734804
Email: [email protected]
Organisational Contacts 530 charles street ,Marlbrough , Harare, Zimbabwe
Email [email protected]
Twitter: #matavire
Whatsapp Number +263772991223
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Project Executive Summary 1
Organisational Details 2
Background and Justification 3
Proposed Project 6
Logical Framework 8
Gantt Chart 9
Risk Analysis 10
Financial Details 11
Monitoring and Evaluation 12
Annex 1. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
PROJECT EXECUTIVE SUMM
1. ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS
1.1. Organisational Background. Matavire empowerment and advocacy organisation is a registered Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 01/2013). Matavire is a disability advocacy and community development organisation whose goal is a world in which persons with disability can realise their potential in societies which respect their rights and dignity. Through activities including, but not limited to, advocacy and awareness campaigns, capacity building, peer education, institutional support, calls for legislative review and strengthening of child protection mechanisms, the organisation envisions a society in which children are protected from abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence. RDS works in partnership with stakeholders in the community, government and non-governmental organisations to provide holistic and sustainable services so as to bring about better outcomes for all children in Zimbabwe.
1.2. Governance Structure. RDS is governed by a Board of Directors who provide policy direction and strategic vision for the organisation. The Board meets regularly and delegates RDS’ activities to the Director Justice Chinyadza and a management team of senior officers. In line with its terms of reference, the Board reviews internal controls, financial reporting processes, carries out audits and reviews risk management processes.
1.3. Partnership with Other Organisations. Since its inception in 2005, RDS has worked in excellent partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in advocacy and awareness campaigns for children’s welfare and rights. Partner organisations include Irish Aid, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Plan International, Girl Child Network, Musasa Project and others. Government entities partnered by RDS in previous programmes and projects include Ministries of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Health and Child Care, Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Home Affairs as well as other key departments within governments.
1.3. Relevant Previous Experience. RDS has undertaken several major programmes and projects to bring to the fore child protection issues in Zimbabwe. The following are some of the major ones undertaken. In 2006 to 2007, the organisation carried projects in partnership with the Ministries of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Health and Child Welfare in Manicaland to investigate child labour issues in the tea and coffee plantations. In 2009, RDS carried out projects targeting the possibility of reenrolling single teenage mothers in schools to pursue their education as well as other developmental initiatives for them. In 2013, RDS also carried out projects together with UNICEF, Childline Zimbabwe, Girl Child Network and Plan Zimbabwe to establish the prevalence of child marriages in Zimbabwe.
2. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
2.1. BACKGROUND
Child marriage is defined as any marital union carried out below the age of 18 years, before the child is physically, physiologically and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibility of marriage and child bearing (UNICEF, 2009). Child marriage is a harmful societal practice which fundamentally affects the rights of children and deprives them the opportunity to attain their aspirations. Although child marriage is a reality for both sexes, girls are disproportionately the most affected. The African Union (AU) (2014) reports that globally, about 14 million adolescent and teen girls are married, almost always forced into those arrangements by their parents.
Although the proportion of child brides had generally decreased, the phenomenon remains widespread in some regions, particularly in rural areas and among the poorest. The practice of child marriage spans across diverse cultures, yet those who have suffered its indignities share a common threat that transcends circumstances, cultures countries and continents (International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) (2006). Although the largest numbers of child brides are in Asia, countries with the highest rates of child marriage are in Africa. Zimbabwe is among the countries with the highest rates of child marriage, with a prevalence of 31%.
The following health and socio-economic statistics depict a calamitous scenario. Girls younger than 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s, infants born to mothers below the age of 18 are 60% more likely to die in the first year of birth than those born to mothers over 18 years, 2 million women worldwide suffer from obstetric fistula, a debilitating complication of childbirth especially common among physically immature girls, girls who are married below 18 are three times more likely to experience domestic violence than their peers who marry later and girls with secondary schooling are up to six times less likely to marry as children when compared with girls who have little or no education (AU, 2014; ICRW, 2006; UNICEF, 2009;).
2.2. JUSTIFICATION
2.2.1. Statement of the Problem. The deleterious consequences of child marriage are numerous and well documented yet its magnitude is confounding. Each statistic represents a girl deprived of her capacity to reach full potential, robbed of education and meaningful career prospects, threatened by illness and even death. Ending child marriage will protect victims and ensure a brighter future for them, their families and their communities (ICRW, 2006).
There is correlation between poverty and child marriages, with girls from the poorest households three times more likely to get married before 18 years than girls from affluent families (AU, 2014). Thus girls are denied their right to complete their education, reducing their ability to earn an income and lift themselves and their children out of poverty. On the other hand, the higher the educational level attained, the wider the benefits. Educated girls are more likely to get exposure to awareness about their rights and the more likely they are to raise healthy, educated children. All efforts must thus be made to ensure girls stay in schools as long as possible and get at least secondary education.
Child marriage in Zimbabwe is embedded in contentious socio-cultural practices and beliefs that need to be demystified, debunked and jettisoned. The Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU, 2013) reports that the practice is most prevalent among the Johane Marange Apostolic sect, who believe that girls should have minimum schooling and as soon as a girl reaches puberty, they should get married off in line with direction from the Holy Spirit. There are also some examples where girls are given as compensation in cases of avenging spirits (kuripa ngozi). In some poverty stricken areas, some girls are also married off in exchange for food livestock and cash. Childline Zimbabwe (2014) reports instances of girls being married off to their brothers-in law and uncles in cases where their sisters and aunts are deceased (chimutsamapfihwa). Communities need to be enlightened on the harm such practices and beliefs bring to bear, not only on innocent children, but also on their families, communities and the nation at large.
While a raft of legislative instruments seems to proffer a façade of girl protection, the reality is that some laws in Zimbabwe perpetuate the scourge of child marriage. Paradoxes and legal contradictions are rife within the institution of child marriage (UNICEF, 2009). While consensual sex with girls below 16 constitutes rape, the same act with a similar aged girl sometimes goes unreported and unsanctioned by the protective mantle of ‘marriage’. The Constitition of Zimbabwe, the supreme law of the land states that a child is any person below the age of 18, yet the Customary Marriages Act does not provide a minimum marriageable age and has been abused to justify child marriage. The need to promulgate new laws, realign and harmonise existing ones and discard harmful ones so as to plug legislative loopholes is thus clear and present.
2.2.2. Priority Needs. Previous projects indicate astounding lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of child marriages on the physical, psychological and emotional development of child brides. There is need therefore to raise awareness on the harmful effects of child marriage within communities. The existence of socio-cultural and economic practices and beliefs that perpetuate child marriage needs to be addressed through awareness campaigns, advocacy and legislative interventions. Women victims of childhood marriages are at the lowest rung of the ladder, often with children several to look after, and no wherewithal, capital, entrepreneurship acumen and skill to commence life supporting projects. These needs must be prioritised so as to bring about better outcomes for these victims of structural circumstances.
2.2.3. The Proposed Approach. It is anticipated that several strategies can be utilised to mitigate the identified challenges.
2.2.3.1. Community Mobilisation. Community mobilisation strategies include engagement of all sections of the targeted population through engagement of targeted gatekeepers, forming girls’ clubs, peer education, child marriage eradication committees and anti-gender based violence forums. These different groups are anticipated to raise awareness at the community and community levels to advocate for legislative review at the national level.
2.2.3.2. Behaviour Change Communication. A multi-channel approach with equal emphasis on mass media, local and traditional media, peer communication are seen as key enablers to bring greater awareness. Peer education is a critical intervention in achieving behaviour change outcomes and sustaining efforts beyond project life (CARE, 2015). Due to Zimbabwe’s enviable tele-density, mobile service providers can bring greater awareness through campaign messages.
2.2.3.3. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building. Supporting girls at the risk of or already in child marriages is a key strategy. The victims need to have their social networks restored, and be provided with opportunities for self-expression and emancipation as well as new skills that can help the manage their situation.
2.2.3.4. Stakeholder Engagement. The engagement of key stakeholders at the community, governmental and non-governmental level is essential to the success of any project. As a project that touches on fundamental beliefs, attitudes and practices, wide consultation are therefore important to ensure success.
2. THE PROPOSED PROJECT: A CALL TO ACTION: CAMPAIGN TO END CHILD
MARRIAGES IN HONDE VALLEY, MUTASA DISTRICT
2.1. Project Aim. A Call to Action: Campaign to End Child Marriages in Honde Valley (Call to Action) aims to eliminate the harmful practice of child marriage practices in Honde Valley, Mutasa District, Manicaland through community mobilisation, behaviour change communication and advocacy for legislative review.
2.2. Objectives. To achieve its overarching goal, Call to Action has three objectives:
2.2.1. To transform socio-cultural norms and beliefs underpinning child marriage through a widespread behaviour change campaign, peer educators, formal and non-formal leaders and community based organisations.
2.2.2. To establish and strengthen community based child protection, response mechanisms as well as reporting procedures for cases of child marriage.
2.2.3. To help community advocate for the promulgation, realignment and enforcement of child marriage laws as well as to lobby for the repepal of harmful legislation.
2.3. Targetted Groups. Call to Action shall be carried out in Honde Valley under Mutasa District of Manicaland. Honde Valley is among the regions most affected by child marriages due to the dominance of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church in the area (RAU, 2013). This project seeks to target vulnerable girls who the most at risk of child marriage. The project shall also target victims of child marriages. Influential leaders, including religious and traditional leaders are targeted as they wield considerable power to influence opinion. This is a key group that can singlehandedly decide whether to continue or discontinue the project and thus must be appropriately engaged. The whole community shall be focused on so that greater awareness is reached that child marriage not only affects girl children but their families, communities and the country at large.
2.4. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
Call to Action shall be carried out for 12 months from January to December 2015. Several activities are expected to be undertaken to fulfill the project requirement as detailed below. Please note that some of these programmes shall be overlapping and run concurrently.
2.4.1. Project Coordinating Meetings. To enable a successful take-off the project team shall conduct coordination daily coordination meetings for the first two weeks of January 2016. The meetings will wnsure that the project team has a good understanding of roles and responsibilities, including development of the work plan, develop the M;E procedures and identify and list data collection tools.
2.4.2. Stakeholder Engagement. Relevant government, non-governmental and civil society stakeholder shall be engaged once the coordination has been done. Synergies shall be established with Ministries of Heath and Child Care, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Justice and Legal Affairs, Home Affairs and Women Affairs, Gender and community Development. Given the sensitive nature of the project it is important that these crtical stakeholders are engaged so that hiccups are smoothened. This process shall take a month.
2.4.3. Training the Trainers. Officials from the Ministries of Health and Child Care, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Justice, and Women’s Affairs shall conduct training to project staff on key aspects surrounding the sexual and reproductive health, legal social and economic implications of the project for a period of a month. The aim is to equip staff with the necessary technical skills.
2.4.4. Setup in Honde Valley. By mid-March, the project staff is expected to move to Hauna Growth Point, Honde Valley and sub-centres to set up office. Two weeks will be given to settle down.
2.4.5. Community Consultations. The month of April shall be devoted to engagement of community leaders by the project team. Clear understanding pertaining to the nature of the project shall be reached with gatekeepers who may prove uncooperative if this project is done haphazardly. Recruitment of community volunteers and other necessary personnel shall be done at this stage as well.
2.4.6. Capacity Building. Capacity building programmes shall run throughout the community engagement. Identified individuals need to be capacitated to ensure they bring positive gains to the project.
2.4.7. Community Engagement. The bulk of the project shall take place during this phase. All staff members, community leaders, volunteers and other staff shall be included in this vital phase. This shall be done via a series of meetings, workshops, campaigns, door-to-door activities and other methods deemed necessary.
2.4.8. Establishment and Strengthening of Reporting and Referral Mechanisms. This crucial aspect of the project shall also run throughout the engagement. All team members are expected to perform their role in establishing reporting and referral procedures. The key is to ensure that even after project conclusion, community members remain capacitated to utilize established mechanisms.
2.4.9. Advocacy for Legislation. Around mid-way through the project, targeted beneficiaries shall be expected to have gained enough awareness to begin tentative steps towards advocacy. This advocacy is expected to continue beyond the mandate of the programme.
2.4.10. Project completion and Withdrawal. The project is supposed to be completed by December 2015. However, other processes like withdrawal of non-essential staff and backloading of unneccesary resources would have started before then.
The series of inputs, objectives, events, processes and outcomes towards the fulfillment of the ultimate goal are depicted graphically by the Logical Framework at Figure 1.
Call to Action Logical Framework
Figure 1. Call to Action Logical Framework. Source: World Vision International.
2.5. TIME FRAME.
The project is expected to last January through December 2016. The various activities to be undertaken are as per the Gantt Chart below.
Call to Action Gantt Chart
Task/Activity Time
1st Quarter
Month
Jan Feb Mar 2nd Quarter
Month
Apr May Jun 3rd Quarter
Month
July Aug Sep 4th Quarter
Month
Oct Nov Dec
Project Coordinating Meetings
Stakeholder Engagement
Training the Trainers
Set up in Honde Valley
Engagement of Community Leaders
Capacity Building
Establishing and Strengthening Reporting and Referral Mechanisms
Advocacy for Legislation
Progress Reports
Monitoring and Evaluation
Project Completion and Withdrawal
Figure 2. Call to Action Gantt Chart. Source: USAID.
2.6. RISK ANALYSIS
A number of internal and external factors can significantly impact on the capacity to deliver expected outcomes. It is therefore crucial to take stock of the factors than can hinder progress as depicted by the table below.
Description Impact Probability Existing Controls Action Required Responsibility
Internal Staff belief systems may hinder them from condoning the project High Low Recruitment of staff with demonstrated capability Women must be encouraged to apply Regai Dzive Shiri
Disagreements about the provisions of legal instruments Medium Low Canvass and agree on terms of reference Discussion about the definition Regai Dzive Shiri
External Entrenched religious and traditional attitudes about child marriage High High Utilise community based mechanisms to gain support Awareness campaigns Project Staff, Volunteers, Leaders
Impact of agricultural season on project Medium High Use traditional non- field days for mass meetings Engage community leaders to map way forward Project staff, Community Leaders
Reprisals from perpetrators Medium High Establishment of mechanisms for protection of victims Strengthen linkages with leaders, ZRP and other security details Project Staff, Leaders, Civil Servants
Failure by communities to participate High Low Encourage community to participate Wide awareness campaigns through multimedia Project Staff, Mass Media, Community based mechanisms
Figure 3. Risk Analysis. Source: Plan International
3. FINANCIAL DETAILS
Call to Action is expected to cost around $114 000 in both direct and indirect costs. An itemised list of the projected budget is per the table below.
Direct/Indirect Costs Activity Cost (USD)
Direct Costs Initial coordination meetings 5 000.00
Workshops, training and facilitation 15 000.00
Office Rentals 12 000.00
Volunteer allowances 5 000.00
Radio and television campaigns 5 000.00
Monitoring and evaluation 10 000.00
I E C material 10 000.00
Communication 2 000.00
Vehicle hire and fuel 10 000.00
Salaries for project team 30 000.00
Sub total 104 000.00
Indirect Costs Initial stakeholder engagement 5000.00
Administrative costs 5000.00
Grand total 114 000.00
Converted to Euros at the rate of 1Euro to 1.1166 = Euro 102 095
5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Different data collection tools will be utilised to monitor and evaluate progress to ensure that movement towards capturing outcomes is captured. A simple reporting template will be used by volunteers and community animators. Initial comparison will mainly be against baseline data collected from the Central Statistics Office Report of 2012. Along the way data will be compared against own records from log books and other surveys. Progress against indicators, challenges solutions and risk mitigation measures will be discussed on a regular basis. A detailed monitoring and evaluation framework is attached as Annex 1.
References
African Union (2014) Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa. (online) Available from www.au.org. Accessed on 19 September 2015
Childline Zimbabwe (2014) Annual Report. Harare: Childline Zmbabwe
Centre for American Relief Everywhere (2015) Child Marriage: A Promise of Poverty. (online) Available from www.can.care.org. Accessed on 18 September 2015
International Centre for Research on Women (2006) Child Marriage and Domestic Violence. (online) Available from www.icrw.org. Accessed on 19 September 2015
Plan International (2013) My Body, My Right: Protecting the Rights of Girls in Sierra Leone (online) Available form www.plan.org. Accessed on 21 September 2015
United Nations Children’s Fund (2009) Child Marriage and the Law. New York: UNICEF
World Vision (2012) Child Protection Advocacy. (online) Avalable from www.worldvision.org. Accessed on 23 September 2015
www.tools4dev.org Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. (online)
