Across the border - Zimbabwe
SPEAK OUT FOR ANIMALS The Organisation Giving a Voice to the Voiceless Writer: Shelley Cox (Africa Conservation Travel) Photography: Speak Out For Animals (SOFA)
‘T
he greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man’. Mahatma Gandhi.
The world in which we live today is under increased pressure on all fronts. Our human populations continue to expand at an ever-increasing rate, resulting in a rise in the requirement for space/land off which to live and survive. This results in fewer habitats for our animals and wildlife, an upsurge in human/wildlife conflict and increased animal/wildlife deaths or cruelty. Once you begin to delve into the issues being created by our human population expansion, it is difficult not to feel despair or concern about the intensifying damage we are causing to the planet, and the critical condition in which we will be leaving it for future generations.
There is, however, an organisation which is providing hope and reassurance, and whose core focus is to provide a voice for the voiceless and advocate for their protection, conservation and the advancement of animal rights and welfare. Founded by Zimbabwean- born lawyer, Ever Vimbai Chinoda, Speak Out For Animals (SOFA) was created primarily to undertake the enlightenment and education of people from all walks of life on the importance of protecting and conserving all species by upholding the law.
‘My desire is to see animal law incorporated into university and college curricula leading to an increase of lawyers devoted to the field of animal law. It is my goal to increase awareness regarding protection of all animals in Africa—wildlife, domestic, aquatic, and agricultural livestock,’ says Ever. To date, Ever has trained prosecutors, lawyers, rangers and police officers on wildlife law.
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TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA
The organisation is certainly making some big strides forward and has already undertaken several projects since its inception which include, and are not limited to, the following: Case Monitoring SOFA’s main mandate is to protect animals and promote their welfare through the legal system and this is achieved through monitoring cases to ensure justice for the animals. This involves proper and robust monitoring of all cases from the gathering of evidence, drafting of the charge sheet, arrest of the accused and bringing them before the court within 48 hours up to the time when the court makes its decision (conviction and sentence).
Animal Law Training SOFA conducts introductory training in animal law to law students, graduates or lawyers interested in this field and selected participants are awarded certificates. As a follow-up, SOFA conducts in-depth training to equip the participants with the necessary legal knowledge so as to enable them to advocate for animal protection and welfare. SOFA Student Chapters and Community Education At the core of its objectives, SOFA engages with universities, local communities and schools with the aim of changing mindsets with regard to animal welfare and to human/wildlife conflict. SOFA is also working to implement libraries specific to animal welfare and conservation. Advocacy and Lobbying Working with authorities, stakeholders and key country decision makers, SOFA is dedicated to educating and influencing legislation for the benefit of animal welfare.
On 11th October, 2018, Ever Vimbai Chinoda successfully launched the Wildlife Legal Guide Book which will be distributed and sold across the Zimbabwe landscape in an effort to increase the awareness and ongoing work being done by Speak Out For Animals.
which makes her one of the few African animal lawyers and the first in Southern Africa. She is now a renowned international speaker and has made presentations on several international forums including the 25th Animal Law Conference, the Global Animal Law Conference in Hong Kong and the Free the Elephants Conference and Film Festival in Portland, Oregon, to list a few. She obtained her Bachelor of Law honours at the University of Zimbabwe and a postgraduate Master’s Degree in corporate governance and strategic management. With individuals and organisations as committed and dedicated as Ever Chinoda and the Speak Out For Animals team, one can only feel positive about the future for our wildlife and animal welfare in Africa.
To get involved or support the efforts being made by Speak Out For Animals visit their website www.speakoutforanimals.org or Ever holds a Master’s Degree in animal law contact the team on from Lewis and Clark Law School, USA, info@speakoutforanimals.org
