Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA)

African Women Millennium Initiative in Zambia (AWOMIZ) is a legally recognised, non-governmental organisation, registered under the Society’s Act Cap 119 with registration number ORS/102/35/3520.

The organisation was launched on 13 July 2007 in Lusaka, Zambia, during the Regional Social Mobilisation Conference.

The thematic areas of the organisation include human rights, governance, reproductive health/HIV and economic empowerment.

Since inception, the organisation has carried out a number of activities, including regional training on the United Nations Human Rights Council and the UPR, that facilitate opportunities for civil society’s engagement in monitoring government’s implementation of human rights instruments.

It conducts a yearly gender based violence campaign, targeted at institutions of higher learning, and engages with the Human Rights Council through the submission of reports and attending its sessions.

It also has consultative meetings with the government aimed at lobbying them to ratify the African Court Protocol. AWOMIZ continues to collaborate with various organisations, including CONECTAS Human Rights Brazil; African Court Coalition; Women and Law in Southern Africa; SACCORD; Young Women Christian Association Zambia; Legal Resources Centre in South Africa; Women in Law and Development in Zambia; International Services for Human Rights; UPR and HURIDOCS.

The organisation has in the past received support from the Global Fund for Women, Elma Foundation, NIKE Foundation, CIDA, International Human Rights Service, OSISA and Mama Cash.