Zimbabwean stories of "Best Practice" - SAfAIDS

The point of departure in assessing the Padare Odzi movement as a Best Practice is to reflect on the qualityof its programme design. The Odzi chapter is premised on a variety of solid attributes which render themovement effective. The attributes among others are: the design of the programme was informed by aneeds assessment; objectives and strategies are clear; objectives are in consonance with the National HIVand AIDS Strategic Framework; the programme has positive impact across sex, families and households;the community is involved in planning, monitoring, implementing and evaluation of the chapter; genderdynamics are accommodated at community level and the existence of a broad spectrum of multi-sectoralpartners in program implementation.It is important to note that the setting up of the Odzi chapter was preceded by a situational analysis survey.The survey revealed community perceptions and notions of a 'dare', the causes of GBV in Odzi community,gender stereotypes, black spots (hot-beds of violence) in the community, social services available (or not)to the community, types of GBV and areas requiring intervention on gender issues. In essence, the programmewas launched on a well-informed foundation of the status quo. The needs assessment that preceded thelaunch of the Chapter helped the project's implementers to craft a clear objective of the programme.Despite being recently launched, the programme has had positive impact on both men and women andacross families and households. The following extracts from a focus group discussion held with men in anOdzi residential area demonstrate a change in some men's mindset regarding gender, culture and thespread of HIV as a result of Padare's intervention:“Since joining Padare, it has come to our attention that families affected by gender-basedviolence are more exposed to HIV than families living in gender harmony.”- Male farm labourer, Odzi“The gender problem of men perceiving themselves as all-knowing and all-powerful heads ofthe family wreaks havoc on men's self-image, especially when one fails to provide for the basicneeds of the family due to loss of employment as has happened to most of the men in thiscommunity who were working for Kondozi Farm.”- Male farm labourer, Odzi“Women in marriages where husbands treat them with respect seem to be more enterprisingand also showing a lot of respect for their husbands.”- Youth Chairperson“As a result of our participation in Padare we now see women differently; we no longer seethem as providers of sex but as partners in life.”- Member, Padare Odzi“From my participation in Padare, now I know that girls need to be treated with respect, justlike any other human beings. In the past I used to talk to girls with abusive language especiallyif they objected to my love proposals.”- Male youth, Odzi76