27 Feb 2022
On February 27, across the globe, we celebrate World NGO Day. As the name suggests, the day brings awareness to Non-Governmental Organisations’ (NGOs) work and those efforts that contribute to making the world a better place. These efforts often go unnoticed, so we must take this time to recognise these generous contributions.
The day established by Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a UK-based social entrepreneur, is celebrated by many across the globe. In 2014, the day became recognised by the United Nations and the European Union to pay tribute to the NGOs, Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) which perform the vital work of providing social assistance to the most vulnerable members of society and defending human rights.
World NGO Day provides an opportunity to honour and remember NGO founders, employees, volunteers, members, and supporters. There are vast numbers of individuals who have devoted themselves to the work of NGOs in many forms, from those who offer a few hours of their time to those who have sacrificed their lives for a cause they believe in.
All over the world, NGOs safeguard human rights, the rights of individuals to access basic human needs and develop effective policies through lobby and advocacy. At the national level, NGOs have been monitoring and reporting human rights violations, especially now when the perpetrators are hiding behind the Covid-19 pandemic. The day, therefore, seeks to celebrate the bravery of these people and call for an end to their persecution everywhere.
The Covid-19 Pandemic has largely directed and dictated operations, actions, and outcomes since its advent in December 2019. The pandemic has led to NGOs having to adapt to the new norm and develop new ways to implement programmes and carry out day-to-day business. Despite the shortfalls and grave detriments of the pandemic, NANGO would like to express gratitude to the NGOs across Zimbabwe for the tremendous work that they have done for society.
In the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, NGOs have been working tirelessly and providing Protective Protection Equipment (PPE). In addition, they have been instrumental in the provision of direct health services to communities as well as providing social assistance to the most vulnerable groups and hard-to-reach areas.
The day also acts as an opportunity for states to reflect on the steps they should take to create an enabling and welcoming environment for NGOs. The people who work in NGOs and CSOs are often exposed to great personal risk because of systematic harassment they experience at the hands of authorities all around the world at large.
Zimbabwean NGOs have not been an exception as they are subjected to restrictive legal, policy, and administrative instruments promulgated by the government. The restrictive environment is further compounded by the selective application of the law. The call by the regulatory authority to control NGOs has been louder by the day and the current process of reviewing the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Act and the intention to enact an NGO bill all work towards constraining the civic space. The review of the PVO Act has been motivated by various reasons chief among them being the need to include the Financial Anti-Terrorist Financing (FATF) recommendations to do with Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism.
NGOs play pivotal roles ranging from financing, implementation, watchdog, and oversight, all of which contribute towards sustainable national development. This is critical in ensuring the realisation of Agenda 2030, Vision 2030, National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), and various sectoral plans. A multi-stakeholder approach is the new innovative way of partnering to deliver the development outcomes. This work can be facilitated and enhanced by an enabling environment.
NANGO is the officially recognised coordinating body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe. It is the largest umbrella body for NGOs and was established in 1962. It is a non-partisan, non-profit making organisation and non-denominational coordinating body of NGOs in Zimbabwe. It is mandated by its membership to coordinate the activities of NGOs, represent the NGO sector, and strengthen the voice of NGOs in Zimbabwe.
