Name of project
Starting date
April 2003
Main objective
The NCA is a voluntary association of individual Zimbabweans and civic society organisations. The main objective of the NCA is to promote awareness, critical debate and participation of the making of Zimbabwes new democratic, people driven constitution. The objective is to be obtained through an open, transparent, accountible and people driven process. Member organisations of the NCA are political parties, religious, women, youth, student, human rights groups, labour movements and other pressure groups.
Amount contributed
1 500 000 SEK (Nov 2007-Dec 2008)
Results
During the reporting period a total number of 16 028 people were reached out with the constitutional reform message through grassroots civic education workshops. A total of 382 grassroots civic education workshops were undertaken. Facilitators led participants in the discussion of the following questions: What is a democratic constitution, what is the role of the constitution in promoting democracy and development and how can a new constitution help ending Zimbabwes political, social and economic problems?
A total of 128 public meetings were undertaken throughout Zimbabwe during the reporting period. The public meetings afforded the Zimbabweans a platform through which to discuss political, social and economic issues affecting Zimbabweans in relation to the need for a new constitution. A total of 77 youth workshops (target set at 120) and 48 gender workshops (target set at 120) were carried out as part of the gender and youth advocacy for a new constitution. Owing to the effects of a deepening political and socio-economic crisis which was marked by hyperinflation, distorted foreign exchange rates and the tightening of repressive laws, less workshops were held during the reporting period as compared to those undertaken in 2005. NCA reported, however, that more people participated in public meetings and demonstrations that took place in the reporting period compared to those of 2005. More women than men also participated in the workshops and public meetings.
18 peaceful demonstrations (no target set) were staged around Zimbabwe to push for constitutional reform. An overall total of 2 289 people braved the intensifying police brutality to participate in these demonstrations, which took place notwithstanding the ban on demonstrations and public gatherings in Zimbabwes major cities and towns. A total of 2000 T-shirts, 200 000 fliers, 1000 wrappers and 10 000 calendars carrying the constitutional reform message were produced and distributed.
General information