Zimbabwe
From WRIWiki
GALZ and Nonviolence in Zimbabwe
How does your group develop strategies for non-violent campaigns?
The usual approach for GALZ when it comes to developing strategy is to look at the macro-social climate and see how it is affecting the membership and GALZ's primary objective of normalising LGBTI people in society. Although plans are constantly being developed and refined, the annual strategic planning exercise/annual participatory review (APR) is a major focal point for the development of strategy.
For example, GALZ is banned from state-controlled radio and television and finds it difficult to reach a large audience through the press since daily newspapers are either government controlled or heavily infiltrated by government supporters and the independent press reaches only a limited audience.
To counter this, the 2004 APR developed strategies relating to the production of publications on issues relating, for example, to human sexuality and gender and the history of homosexuality in Africa to be widely distributed. The same APR highlighted the need for a GALZ website containing basic information about the organisation and its work.
The 2007 APR agreed that a monthly electronic newsletter be launched which will report on the organisation's activities on a month-to-month basis. The idea for this came from one of GALZ's long-time partners, the NGO Network Alliance. The same APR decided that GALZ should explore possibilities of a CD Rom project containing radio and video interviews, booklets and other information relating to GALZ.
It is now noted that, whereas in the past, it was impossible for GALZ to advertise both in the government-controlled press and in the independent media, the situation has now changed. This means that, although newspapers may refuse to run articles from GALZ on the grounds that they may offend the President, they now generally accept adverts. GALZ exploits this opportunity to advertise around certain international human rights days such as the International Day against Homophobia and International Workers Day. These remind the public that GALZ is concerned not only about its own issues but those of others such as workers and that LGBTI people think more widely than the activities of the bedroom.
The above may be referred to as reactive strategies in that they respond to oppressive legislation relating to restrictions on the media.
However, GALZ does develop proactive strategy. For example, the approach of GALZ has always been to link itself to other human rights groupings as well as those organisations working in the field of HIV and AIDS. This provides the association with opportunities to embed itself more fully in civil society.
The result of this is that, as a member of the Zimbabwe NGO Human Rights Forum, the name of GALZ appears alongside 16 other human rights organisations in published statements and adverts relating to International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and Human Rights Day. The fundamental starting point has always been the safety and security of those working for GALZ and the avoidance of any situation which may lead to violent reprisal. In the past, any form of publicity, whether negative or positive was welcome in that it raised the profile of GALZ but now the organisation strives to encourage positive publicity and often does not react to homophobic statements which bring unwarranted attention to their authors.
What sparks that process? How do you set goals and implement tactics and activities to meet those goals?
Although individuals, in particular staff, constantly contribute ideas towards strategy, planning within GALZ is done on a systematic basis through the APR, management meetings and regular weekly meetings of the administration.
The primary objective of the APR is to draw up a twelve-month work plan and from this, employees draw up monthly work plans of activities.
Who participates in the strategy development?
Although a great deal of strategising is done on a day-to-day basis by the full-time employees of GALZ, the APR provides a pool of expertise in that it includes members of the executive committee, prominent members of GALZ (such as Affinity Group leaders who run groups in areas outside the capital), the staff of GALZ and members of partner organisations.
What is your process?
There is no single process that GALZ adopts when it comes to planning. At a full strategic planning exercise, the organisation uses the VOSAK technique (Vision, Objectives, Strategies and Key Performance Indicators) and for this process it is normal for GALZ to employ the services of an external consultant. However, it is not deemed necessary to go through this exhaustive procedure every year and so, when the direction of GALZ is generally agreed upon, an APR is considered sufficient for outlining the activities for the year. The year plan is broken down into monthly work plans of activities for each staff member.
How do you organize and train people to participate in campaigns?
At present, training for campaigns is provided on an ad hoc basis and by seizing on opportunities provided by others. For example, GALZ staff have participated in training provided by the Human Rights Forum in the production of incident reports and training for human rights defenders provided by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
On the international front, training has also been facilitated by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)and ARC International in areas relating to the use of international human rights mechanisms including the African Commission on Human and People's Rights.
However, it has been noted that a more systematic approach is required and that training needs to be more broadly based. For example, although most members of GALZ would not be willing to participate in campaigns for fear of being outed, the fact remains that they still require tools both for defending themselves against harassment from state and non-state actors and for assisting their LGBTI friends. Training is also required for law enforcement agents, such as the police, and there is clearly a need for NGOs working in fields relating to human rights (including health and gender) to be educated on matters relating to human sexuality and gender from a non-heterosexist perspective.
What decision-making do participants have?
Although the highest decision making body in GALZ is the Annual General Meeting, the membership of GALZ invests authority in a 9-member executive committee which is appointed on an annual basis. It is the executive committee that is responsible for appointing staff who are required to develop plans of action and look for resources. Nevertheless, the general policy is that people should work as a team which is why there is at least one annual planning meeting to agree on the direction GALZ should take and the activities to support this mission.
How is evaluation done and who does it?
Evaluation is conducted both on an external and internal basis. The executive committee monitors the progress and performance appraisals are conducted at the end of the year to measure progress and accomplishment. In addition, the Director provides a monthly report to the executive committee which incorporates reports from the Gender and Health Departments. Nevertheless, the measurement of impact remains difficult to determine although a general trend of greater tolerance is discernable especially amongst NGOs where GALZ is now an active member. Recent research conducted by a graduate of Midlands University on LGBTI and the media strongly indicated a positive shift in people's attitudes towards homosexuality over the past 10 years.
