Since 2000, Zimbabwe has been in the midst of a complete political devolution, with rape as the predominant form of punishment. It is also a leading country in misinforming men of how to rid themselves of the HIV/AIDS virus. Last year, a local NGO recorded 4,146 cases of sexual abuse against children in its area of operation alone.

Founded in 1998, Girl Child Network (GCN) is a girls' rights activist development organization with a membership of more than 25,000 girls across the country of Zimbabwe. The main goal of Girl Child Network is the holistic and total empowerment of the girl child as well as the eradication of all forms of abuse and practices that impede the full physical, emotional, and spiritual growth and development of the girl child. GCN uses a human rights based approach to address gender inequalities in education and in all social, political and economic spheres of life. GCN is a community-based, grassroots organization that has several strategic program areas from education and training to advocacy and community development.

A victim of child abuse herself, Betty Makoni will not stop fighting for the safety and rights of the women of Zimbabwe. Only 34 years old, Betty Makoni is a renowned girl child rights activist and the Director and Founder of Girl Child Network. Recognized around the world for her actions, she is persistently pushing to transform Zimbabwe into a country that no longer victimizes women.