African social workers awarded for work on eliminating gender-based violence

Outstanding social work leaders from across the African region have been recognized for their work on eliminating gender-based violence (GBV) and assistance provided to those with experience of it.

The IFSW says the award winners have ‘promoted local solutions’ to GBV issues, including indigenous models of practice and innovative ways of working. These practices are now seen as models that other can learn from.

Carla Isabel Abílio Jonas Matsimbe, an HIV and AIDS Prevention supervisor (practitioner) from the Mozambique Association of Social Workers, was recognised for her work of home-to-home information dissemination about prevention and identification of GBV around the Maputo province and Boane district communities, even under strict government pandemic measures.

Consolée Uwihangana, a Social Work Lecturer in Rwanda was also recognised for her work ‘empowering women and girls to become active citizens’, as well as her research in gender, women, and family.

Consolée was also the chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee for the first ever International Social Work Conference in Rwanda in 2018.

Dr. Mildred Mushunje, a practitioner in gender justice and gender-based violence in Zimbabwe, was awarded for her national campaign advocating for women’s land rights. A founding and active member of the Women Land Lobby Group in Zimbabwe and Founding Executive Director of the Institute of Women Social Workers, Mildred is also Chairperson of the Civil Society Reference Group for the Spotlight Initiative, a global programme to end violence against women and the Vice Chairperson of the Southern Africa Social Protection Experts Network.

Marie Odile Mbengue Morlet, director of an advocacy association for the rights of children in Senegal, was recognised for her work with some of the most vulnerable children in African societies with the aim or reducing social inequalities and contributing to sustainable development of the country.