News / National
ZLHR support ARC in fight against sexual assault
09 Jun 2016 at 06:41hrs | Views
IN commemoration of its 20th anniversary, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Monday 06 June 2016 handed over more than $5 000 to the Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) as part of the country's leading legal defence group's contribution to sustain the operations of the essential medical facility.
In a statement the organisation said it raised a total of $5 672.30 during a sponsored walk held on Friday 22 April 2016 as part of festivities lined up this year to commemorate the human rights organisation's 20th anniversary since it was established in 1996.
"The sponsored walk held concurrently in Harare and Mutare was supported by ZLHR board members, members, members of the secretariat, human rights defenders and the human rights organisation's esteemed partners," said ZLHR.
ZLHR said it picked up on supporting ARC, which in recent years has been struggling to secure core funding and had been considering closing down.
"We are convinced that these proceeds will contribute to ARC's tireless efforts to provide necessary psychological support that helps restore the confidence and dignity of victims and survivors. ARC is providing such a crucial medical service for victims and survivors enabling them to collect evidence needed to prosecute their cases during rape trials," said ZLHR Executive Director, Irene Petras.
ARC, an independent Trust, which opened its doors in 2009 within the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals site in Harare, sees around 30 adolescents and adults – both female and male per month in need of the organisation's services.
The Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) was established as a response to the dire lack of appropriate facilities for a comprehensive and sensitive response for rape survivors in government hospitals in Harare, and it aims to establish a model for replication throughout the country. It provides comprehensive medical management, counselling and support services and has partnerships with organisations providing complementary services in particular police, courts and legal services, as well as with partners whose focus is prevention, awareness raising and advocacy surrounding gender based violence issues.
ZLHR said it is not for profit making but a human rights organisation whose core objective is to foster a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe as well as encourage the growth and strengthening of human rights at all levels of Zimbabwean society through observance of the rule of law.
"ZLHR is committed to upholding respect for the rule of law and the unimpeded administration of justice, free and fair elections, the free flow of information and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region. It keeps these values central to its programming activities. ZLHR is a membership organisation consisting of over 200 legal practitioners and law students with an interest in, and affinity for, human rights protection and promotion drawn from around Zimbabwe. Membership is steadily increasing," reads the statement.
In a statement the organisation said it raised a total of $5 672.30 during a sponsored walk held on Friday 22 April 2016 as part of festivities lined up this year to commemorate the human rights organisation's 20th anniversary since it was established in 1996.
"The sponsored walk held concurrently in Harare and Mutare was supported by ZLHR board members, members, members of the secretariat, human rights defenders and the human rights organisation's esteemed partners," said ZLHR.
ZLHR said it picked up on supporting ARC, which in recent years has been struggling to secure core funding and had been considering closing down.
"We are convinced that these proceeds will contribute to ARC's tireless efforts to provide necessary psychological support that helps restore the confidence and dignity of victims and survivors. ARC is providing such a crucial medical service for victims and survivors enabling them to collect evidence needed to prosecute their cases during rape trials," said ZLHR Executive Director, Irene Petras.
ARC, an independent Trust, which opened its doors in 2009 within the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals site in Harare, sees around 30 adolescents and adults – both female and male per month in need of the organisation's services.
The Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) was established as a response to the dire lack of appropriate facilities for a comprehensive and sensitive response for rape survivors in government hospitals in Harare, and it aims to establish a model for replication throughout the country. It provides comprehensive medical management, counselling and support services and has partnerships with organisations providing complementary services in particular police, courts and legal services, as well as with partners whose focus is prevention, awareness raising and advocacy surrounding gender based violence issues.
ZLHR said it is not for profit making but a human rights organisation whose core objective is to foster a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe as well as encourage the growth and strengthening of human rights at all levels of Zimbabwean society through observance of the rule of law.
"ZLHR is committed to upholding respect for the rule of law and the unimpeded administration of justice, free and fair elections, the free flow of information and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region. It keeps these values central to its programming activities. ZLHR is a membership organisation consisting of over 200 legal practitioners and law students with an interest in, and affinity for, human rights protection and promotion drawn from around Zimbabwe. Membership is steadily increasing," reads the statement.
Source - Byo24News
