Research and Advocacy Unit

The Research and Advocacy Unit [RAU] is an independent non-governmental organisation which was set up in 2006. RAU is registered as a Trust and has a board of Trustees comprised of experienced academics, gender and NGO management experts.

Our Mission is “To conduct research on human rights and governance issues, particularly those pertaining to women, children and State institutions, with a view to bringing about policy changes which promote a democratic culture within Zimbabwe”. Our vision is “To be a key organisation fostering a democratic culture through citizen empowerment”.

RAU conducts research and advocacy in three key areas, namely women, displacements and governance. RAU has produced over 100 reports and opinion pieces on a wide variety of topics. Some reports are issued in RAU’s own name, whilst others are issued in the name of our partner organisations. RAU is a member of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe. RAU, in pursuit of better advocacy, also produces documentary videos to complement the reports that it produces. In partnership with New York-based WITNESS, RAU has produced four widely respected documentary films.