Southern Africa

Example of Oxfam programs

Image: As Nunumdala shares her story, it is hard to believe that this confident, vibrant woman once saw little hope in life. Credit: William Nyamuchengwa/ Oxfam

"Now I have dignity": Empowering women in Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe has the fourth-highest HIV prevalence in the world (20.1 per cent) and the fourth-lowest life expectancy (36.6 years). Many women in in this country turn to commercial sex work to survive, risking violence, exclusion and HIV. Read how Oxfam is helping women regain their rights and self-esteem.

Image: Nhararai Janissone is a home-based carer who is HIV-positive but still works tirelessly in Manica, Mozambique, to educate people about and reduce the stigma around HIV and AIDS. Credit: Steve Simon/ Oxfam

Mozambique: Nhararai Janissone, "Doctor of Africa" – Nhararai Janissone is a 43-year-old home-based carer who is HIV-positive and works tirelessly in Manica, Mozambique, to educate people about and reduce the stigma around HIV and AIDS. Every day millions of people are missing out on the medicines and care that they need. Individuals like Nhararai are making a real difference, and saving lives.

Image: Although the people of Hluhluwe have experienced droughts and floods for as long as they can remember, since the mid-1990s they have noticed a gradual drying of the land. Credit: Oxfam

South Africa: Where has all the water gone? – The effects of climate change are already being felt in some of the world’s poorest countries. Charlotte Sterrett, Oxfam Australia Southern Africa Program Officer, recently travelled to South Africa to see the impacts first-hand. Although the people of Hluhluwe have experienced droughts and floods for as long as they can remember, since the mid-1990s they have noticed a gradual drying of the land.

Image: Legal counseling session at the Mozambique Women Lawyer's Association in Maputo. Credit: John Robinson/Oxfam America

Balancing culture, new law in Mozambique – Educating traditional leaders builds respect for women and their rights in the new Family Law – When the president of Mozambique signed the new Family Law in March 2005, it was a moment for celebration – the status of women was legally redefined, and marriage laws were overhauled. But then the Family Law coalition, five groups funded by Oxfam America that helped create and promote the new law, turned to the next phase of their mission: To ensure the new law is understood by a diverse population in a vast country of 19.5 million in 10 provinces, speaking six languages (with 16 dialects).

Which Oxfams work in:

Southern Africa	AUS	BEL	CAN	DEU	ESP	GBR	HKG	IRL	NLD	NZL	QC	USA
Angola
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe

This information covers the financial year 2005-2006 and refers to areas where Oxfam is involved in one or more of the following: operational programs (development or emergency), working through partners and/or working through another Oxfam affiliate.