ɫӰ will host gender activist Betty Makoni on September 23, 2011. She will present two lectures, both free and open to the community, during her visit to ɫӰ.
Makoni was named a CNN 2009 “Top Ten Hero” for her work in defending and empowering young rape victims in her native Zimbabwe. She is the founder and director of the Girl Child Network Worldwide, which has helped thousands of girls in several African countries to get protection, support, and education.
At 1:25 p.m. in McElhaney Hall, Room 205 New Location: Room 136 of Keith Hall, she will address the economic impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis, as well as the economic implications of the sexual abuse and lack of education of girls in African countries.
At 2:30 p.m. in Keith Hall, Room 165, Makoni will describe her experiences as a survivor of rape and as a teacher in Zimbabwe, and she will explain how her organization works with girls in various African countries and partners with organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The film Tapestries of Hope, featuring Makoni and girls she has helped, will be shown September 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Johnson Hall, Room 247. The screening is free and open to the community.
The programs are cosponsored by the Pan-African Studies and Women's Studies programs, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the ɫӰ Libraries, and various student organizations.
For more information, contact Marveta Ryan-Sams, coordinator of Pan-African Studies, at mmryan@iup.edu or by telephone at 724 357-7530.