Betty Makoni
In Zimbabwe, men with HIV rape virgin girls believing they will be cured of their disease. Betty Makoni, who is devoted to rescuing such girls, was honoured in November at the 2009 CNN Top 10 Heroes tribute presented at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
According to CNN.com, the heroes were chosen by a panel from more than 9,000 viewer nominations. Each of the top 10 received $25,000, and from those 10, a hero of the year was crowned.
Makoni, who was raped when she was just six years old, created the Girl Child Network in 1998 as a way to protect girls from sexual abuse, and promote education, independence and girls’ rights. Through GCN, Makoni has established 700 girls clubs that provide a safe space to talk and share support, and has saved 35,000 girls from rape and abuse.
“We must create a culture of prevention – country to country, woman to woman, girl to girl. That’s why I talk; so it doesn’t have to happen again,” Makoni told the Record in an interview in 2006.
“I am a great admirer of Betty. Her courage and unwavering commitment to the cause of women is humbling,” said Margaret Zondo, senior administrator of International Ministries.
To read more about Makoni, visit presbyterianrecord.ca and search for Creating a Culture of Prevention. To learn more about the Girl Child Network, visit: girlchildnetworkworldwide.org/ed.
