Together with its partner organizations Diakonia promotes peace and security, human rights, democracy and gender equality in Zimbabwe.

Awareness rising and human rights

Diakonia's work is carried out through networking, promoting education and awareness rising on democratic values and human rights, self organization and participation of marginalized groups in the decision making. Diakonia also supports local organizations to carry out training in conflict prevention- mediation and reconciliation.

Widespread insecurity and poverty

Zimbabwe has a population of 12.5 million (2009). With a rather homogeny ethnic composition, a relatively well educated  people and a fertile soil, for years Zimbabwe possessed one of the regions’ most diversified economies and was a potential bread basket for surrounding countries.

However due to bad governance and deep political divides many of its people, in particular women and children, suffer from widespread insecurity and poverty and lack of employment.

Acess to decision-making structures

The political system is highly authoritarian, and human rights and personal freedoms remain insufficiently acknowledged and protected. Many Zimbabweans, and women in particular, do not have access to decision-making structures and resources that would help them improve their lives.

Diakonia supports on many levels

Diakonia supports the work of civil society organisations to achieve changes and improvements on different levels: on grassroots level within local communities; on national level through organizational capacity building and by publicly advocating for policy changes and increased human rights; on regional level by facilitating networking amongst its partners, various think tanks and institutions, and on international level through European networks carrying out advocacy towards the European Union.