Evaluation of the Southern and Eastern Africa Regional Centre for ...

grow to become institutional impact’. The example of the role of training localjustices in basic human rights was given, to illustrate that change does not comeabout quickly but rather gradually gathers momentum.A key factor in the Evaluation Team’s opinion is therefore whether there is scope forleverage that could be provided in filling the gap between graduates and institutionaland structural change. Whether there is need for more of a role for the Centrebeyond the course and graduates requires some reflection.3.6 Role of the Centre beyond course and graduatesThe Centre is described as a key resource, most notably for its graduates. In addition,however, it is literally a resource in terms of its facilities are clearly being used byundergraduates and respondents who also said they still used it after graduation andothers who do so. In a broader sense, several informants perceive the Centre as anauthoritative voice on Women’s Law, one highly respected both by government andcivil society. One key actor in government suggested the Centre is a ‘fabulousresource for me in government work’. The Centre is playing various roles beyond theMaster’s degree and teaching. For example, there are initiatives to establish a draftbill for family law courts. This was seen as an asset by the Ministry of Women Affairsespecially because the Ministry has few lawyers and the Centre’s role in providingresearch into the process is very valuable. One well-placed women’s organisation(WAG) suggested that the Centre is visible for those working in the women’s sector.In addition, the Centre conducted a gender analysis with ZWLA of the newconstitution. And many others portrayed them as filling in the gaps with theirresearch. Sometimes when unsuccessful for funding, an organisation would approachthe Centre regarding research or other proposals. In one particular case, in whichSEARCWL plays an advisory role, through their influence as board member, oneorganisation told us: ‘We had a problem with the chief magistrate avoiding us, butwhen we got partnership with Centre, Stewart was able to arrange meeting withthem. Now we are training 87 magistrates’.The evaluators are aware that the Centre staffs are very active in terms ofinvolvement in activities and networks furthering women’s issues in Zimbabwe. Afew additional examples are that they can attend a range of relevant activities asdiverse as the launch of the SADC Gender Barometer; a UN Women discussionforum; or, presenting at Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).Collaboration with ZWLA has been particularly noticeable. Most recently, thiscollaboration has involved magistrates training (see above) and, in addition, cooperationwith government on Family courts. There has also been collaboration on aproject on inheritance rights with the Legal Resource Foundation (LRF).Furthermore, SEARCWL provided input to the EU’s gender support programme.SEARWCL staff have been, or, are Board members of various organisations (e.g.until recently, Musasa and also ZWLA). Staffs have also joined meetings with severalmore such as WAG who had come to them 3 times during the year; and are amember of the umbrella organisation, the Women’s Coalition. They also work withWomen in Law in Southern Africa. Often this work is directly at the request of or inconjunction with graduates of the programme.37