The nonexistence of an organization focused on girls in Zimbabwe inspired Betty Makoni, in 1999, to found Girl Child Network (GCN). GCN has grown quickly into a national, activist organization envisioning a society where girls enjoy their full economic, social, and political rights.  By addressing societal gender inequality, reinstating girls in schools, and providing support, training, and income-generating opportunities, GCN raises girls’ confidence, increases economic opportunity, and challenges societal gender attitudes.  GCN's founder Betty Makoni is an entrepreneurial and visionary leader who has grown GCN enormously, and is helping to change the landscape for girls in Zimbabwe.

GCN currently serves 10,000 girls through 100 clubs and 3 Empowerment Villages, and has reinstated 2,000 girl dropouts back in school.  Access to education is the key lever for girls’ economic opportunity in the developing world.  Continued economic deterioration in Zimbabwe has led to increased economic and political upheaval, with girls disproportionately suffering the effects.  In a nation with no other girls' organization, GCN provides a needed source of economic and social opportunity for Zimbabwe’s girls.

Three Guineas awarded IDEX a two-year $40,000 grant to support the launch of GCN's third Empowerment Village in Hwange.  This Village will house an education and training center, dorms, a museum marketing girls’ handicrafts, counseling rooms, a crafts center, administrative offices, and a camping site where schools can bring girls.  3GF awarded this grant via IDEX, a leader recognized for its unique model of engaged international philanthropy.  IDEX is the recipient of a Ford Foundation grant to document its democratic partnerships.  By partnering with IDEX, 3GF leverages enormous learning about engaged international philanthropy.

For more information on this project email Sarah Dotlich, IDEX Africa Program Director, at sarahdotlich@idex.org , call (415) 824 8384, or visit www.idex.org/partner.php?partner_id=13.