Capacity Development in the Bridging the Gaps Programme
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Capacity development in the Bridging the Gaps programme Case study report GALZ HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HIV AND AIDS RESEARCH DIVISION Working to advance health equity in Africa Acknowledgements HEARD at the University of KwaZulu- This case study report was made possible through the participation and support of Gays and Lesbi- ans of Zimbabwe (GALZ) and its technical partners, MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Natal is a leading applied research Rights and COC Netherlands. The case study contributed to a larger piece of research on capacity development in the Bridging the Gaps programme which was commissioned and funded by Aidsfonds. centre with a global reputation for HEARD, with the support of Sida, co-financed the study by contributing additional research staff time. HEARD is very grateful for the participation and commitment of the staff, volunteers, programme benefi- ciaries and partners of GALZ and of the technical staff at MPact and COC, all of whom made invaluable its research, education programmes, contributions to the research. strategic support, partnerships and Authorship This report was written by Russell Armstrong and Nelson Muparamoto. networks, devoted to addressing the Suggested citation: Armstrong, R., Muparamoto, N. (2020). Capacity development in the Bridging broad health challenges of Africa. the Gaps programme. Case study report Gays and Lesbians Zimbabwe. Durban: HEARD, University of KwaZulu-Natal. It should be noted that the content and/or any opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily of HEARD, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Aidsfonds, MPact, COC or GALZ. Copyright @ 2020 HEARD. All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of HEARD. Editing: Natasha Joseph Design: Jess Nicholson Photo credits: GALZ, Pixabay and Unsplash 3 Abbreviations and Acronyms AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome BtG Bridging the Gaps BtG Bridging the Gaps COC COC Netherlands DIC Drop-In Centres GALZ Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe HEARD Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus LGBTI Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex MOHA Mothers Haven MOHCC Ministry of Health and Child Care MPact MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights MSM Men who have sex with men NAC National AIDS Council PLHIV People living with HIV PSI Population Services International RAWO Rise Above Women’s Organisation SADC Southern African Development Community SIDA Swedish International Development Agency SRC Sexual Rights Centre SRHR Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights STI Sexually Transmitted Infection Executive Summary TIRZ Trans and Intersex Rising Zimbabwe Launched in 2011, and funded by the Government of the Netherlands, Bridging the Gaps is a pro- UNFPA United Nations Population Fund gramme for key populations that is focused on securing the health and human rights of lesbian, gay, US$ United States Dollar bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, including men who have sex with men (MSM); people who VOVO Voice of the Voiceless use drugs (PWUD); and sex workers of all genders. The programme, now in its second phase (2016- ZANU-PF Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front 2020), is implemented in 15 countries by nine alliance partners: AIDSfonds; AFEW International; COC Netherlands (COC); MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights (MPact); Global Network of ZCCM Zimbabwe Country Coordinating Mechanism People Living with HIV (GNP+); the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP); International Network Extended Zimbabwe National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2015-2020 ZNASP3 of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD); International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC); and Main- ZNNP+ Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV line. Zimbabwe is one of the focus countries for the programme which, since 2011, has supported Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), a country-wide LGBTI network.1 The Bridging the Gaps programme aims to contribute to ending the AIDS epidemic among key popula- tions by 2030 through the achievement of three long-term goals: a strengthened civil society that holds governments to account; increased fulfilment of human rights of key populations; and, improved sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and fewer HIV transmissions. As civil society is at the heart of improving the health and rights of key populations, civil society strengthening is a cornerstone of the programme. Starting in 2017, the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban, South Africa, partnered with Aidsfonds to conduct operational research on the processes and outcomes of capacity development within the 1 For more information about the programme and its work with GALZ, see: https://hivgaps.org/key-populations/LGBTI-people/ 4 i Bridging the Gaps programme. The research, which took place from 2018-2019, aims to identify those conceptual and practical approaches to capacity development that increase the effectiveness and im- Table of contents pact of the work of civil society organisations and networks to achieve the Bridging the Gaps goals. 1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 3 Part of the research design involves the preparation of case studies for four Bridging the Gaps partners. GALZ was one of the Bridging the Gaps country partners selected for the development of a case study, 1.1. Background ....................................................................................................................3 in part because of its significant achievements in Zimbabwe on behalf of LGBTI people, and in relation to 1.2. Study Aims and Objectives .............................................................................................4 the programme’s long-term goals. This report documents the findings of the study, highlighting GALZ’s accomplishments during the current phase of Bridging the Gaps and paying particular attention to the processes and experiences of capacity development. The findings illustrate how GALZ continuously 2. Methodology .............................................................................................. 5 learns and evolves as it makes progress on behalf of the LGBTI community across Zimbabwe, as guid- 2.1. Key concepts .................................................................................................................5 ed by its 2017-2021 strategic plan, and utilising the financial and technical support of Bridging the Gaps and its other partners. The study concludes with observations and recommendations on how, going 2.2. Data Collection ...............................................................................................................6 forward, capacity development support can evolve and strengthen for GALZ as the organisation itself continues to grow and change. 3. Findings ...................................................................................................... 9 The findings generally reveal how GALZ, as a mature and stable organisation within the Zimbabwean 3.1 Country Context ..............................................................................................................9 landscape for LGBTI issues, has acquired considerable ability and agency to bring about change, par- 3.2. Overview of GALZ ..........................................................................................................9 ticular at the present time when important shifts are occurring in the operating environment. Of note are 3.3. Bridging the Gaps Programme at GALZ .......................................................................10 the efforts of GALZ to continually strengthen the LGBTI movement for the country, particularly through 3.4. Results of Outcome Harvesting ....................................................................................10 sharing its considerable capacity with newer entities as well as to use its credibility and legitimacy to convene allies and stakeholders and to initiate new mechanisms for collaboration and solidarity. 4. Discussion ................................................................................................ 19 The study also suggests some issues for GALZ to consider, particularly with regard to future directions. 4.1 General Observations ....................................................................................................19 While it has rightfully taken on the task of focusing more directly on addressing ‘structural’ barriers to the fulfilment of the health and rights of LGBTI people in Zimbabwe, these issues are considerable and 4.2. Capacity to Empower Individuals and Communities ......................................................19 raise the question of how well GALZ is prepared and equipped to succeed. GALZ has been able to 4.3. Capacity to Function as a Change Agent with Legitimacy and Influence .......................20 seize opportunities as they arise and turn them to the advantage of the LGBTI movement. However, 4.4. Capacity to Form and Lead Partnerships ......................................................................23 what lies ahead is for the organisation to find the means to proactively create the necessary opportu- 4.5. Capacity to Change Duty Bearers .................................................................................23 nities for strategic