Achievements
Since its founding in 1997, Family Support Trust (FST) has played a leading role in advancing the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Zimbabwe. Over the years, the organisation has achieved significant milestones that demonstrate its commitment to empowering survivors, strengthening health systems, and transforming communities.
Through innovative survivor-friendly approaches, strategic partnerships, and nationwide outreach, FST has positively impacted the lives of thousands of women, men, and children. These achievements highlight both the organisation’s growth and its unwavering dedication to building a safer and more equitable society.
Strengthening Survivor-Friendly Health Services
Family Support Trust was the first non-governmental organisation in Zimbabwe to provide medical examinations for survivors of sexual violence, introducing the concept of survivor-friendly clinics. This pioneering model has since been adopted and expanded nationally, setting the standard for how survivors are cared for across the country.
Today, FST operates and supports six survivor-friendly clinics in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, ensuring access to free, confidential medical and psychosocial support services for survivors from all walks of life.
Training and Capacity Building
FST has trained thousands of professionals who play vital roles in supporting survivors and preventing gender-based violence.
- 1,151 nurses and doctors from the Ministry of Health and Child Care have been trained on clinical management of sexual abuse and child protection.
- Numerous law enforcement officers, social workers, and educators have also received training on survivor-centred care and gender-sensitive service delivery.
This nationwide capacity-building effort has strengthened the skills and sensitivity of frontline workers, improving the overall quality of response services available to survivors throughout Zimbabwe.
Expanding Reach and Access to Services
In the past five years, FST’s clinics and outreach programmes have supported 33,757 new survivor cases, reflecting both the trust communities place in the organisation and its ability to deliver life-changing services consistently.
Survivors Assisted (New Cases):
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Each number represents a survivor who received care, a life that was protected, and a step forward in the national fight against sexual and gender-based violence.
Community Awareness and Prevention
FST has reached thousands of people through community-based awareness campaigns, school programmes, and dialogues with traditional and religious leaders. These initiatives have changed perceptions, encouraged early reporting, and fostered a culture of protection and accountability.
Through consistent engagement and education, FST continues to challenge harmful cultural practices, promote gender equality, and empower communities to take collective action against violence.
National and International Recognition
FST’s survivor-centred model and advocacy efforts have earned recognition from both government institutions and international partners. The organisation’s collaboration with bodies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, Médecins du Monde, and Save the Children reflects its reputation as a trusted leader in the fight against SGBV in Zimbabwe.
FST’s contribution to national awareness campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, has also been widely acknowledged, cementing its position as a key stakeholder in the national gender equality and protection framework.
Join Us in Empowering Survivors
Every milestone achieved represents a survivor helped and a community strengthened. Visit our Contact Us page to learn how you can partner, collaborate, or support Family Support Trust’s ongoing mission to end sexual and gender-based violence in Zimbabwe.