CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FACING THE DIGITIZATION OF HISTORICAL RECORDS FOR THEIR PRESERVATION WITHIN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ZIMBABWE

The National Archives of Zimbabwe Act (1986) has declared that historical records in particular must be protected against any destruction, defacing, alteration, mutilation or damage. Despite this, the pace at which digitization has been implemented by the National Archives of Zimbabwe and other memory institutions to ensure the protection and preservation of historical records and other valuable information materials, has been slack and ad-hoc. This paper will present and discuss the circumstances and challenges facing the country’s National Archiving institution in embarking on digitization efforts to preserve selected public and private historical records and archives-generated public registries, memory institutions and other information centres in Zimbabwe

Referral of sexual violence against children: How do children and caregivers use a formal child protection mechanism in Harare, Zimbabwe?

Despite widespread expansion of policies to prevent and respond to violence over the past three decades, sexual violence against children remains common globally. Zimbabwe has expansive legal and policy frameworks to prevent, and formal services to respond to, sexual violence. Yet evidence is lacking about how children and caregivers use formal referral mechanisms. This study conducted secondary qualitative analysis of sexual violence cases [N=74] processed in Harare Magistrates Court and referred to Childline Zimbabwe, in October-November 2020, to examine which experiences children and/or their caregivers formally refer as sexual violence; how they perceive and manage these experiences; and how this relates to national policy contexts. Caregivers, particularly female, were central to reporting sexual violence. Data suggested that some forms of sexual violence were formally referred, including community sexual assault and abuse within families, however some adolescent girls faced blame and shame. There were gaps in reporting of sexual violence against boys, and sexual violence from dating partners or authority figures, with data suggesting that gendered stigma, shame, and fears of institutional authority, were barriers for reporting. Caregivers also reported consensual adolescent sexual relationships to police. These findings contribute to the limited evidence on forms of sexual violence that are and are not formally referred globally, and in sub-Saharan African settings. Existing policy frameworks in Zimbabwe can be strengthened around age of maturity, adolescent sexuality, sidelining of boy survivors, and the role of schools in child protection. Interventions should support caregivers’ efforts to report violence, while also addressing gendered blame and stigma, and stigmatisation of adolescent sexuality

ABSTRACTS OF PRESENTATIONS

Second International Conference on African Digital Libraries and Archives, abstracts of presentation

CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FACING THE DIGITIZATION OF HISTORICAL RECORDS FOR THEIR PRESERVATION WITHIN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ZIMBABWE PPT

The National Archives of Zimbabwe Act (1986) has declared that historical records in particular must be protected against any destruction, defacing, alteration, mutilation or damage. Despite this, the pace at which digitization has been implemented by the National Archives of Zimbabwe and other memory institutions to ensure the protection and preservation of historical records and other valuable information materials, has been slack and ad-hoc. This paper will present and discuss the circumstances and challenges facing the country’s National Archiving institution in embarking on digitization efforts to preserve selected public and private historical records and archives-generated public registries, memory institutions and other information centres in Zimbabwe

Disaster Preparedness and Management at the National Archives and the National Library of Namibia

This paper is based on a study, which investigated whether the National Archives and National Library of Namibia (NANLN) had put into consideration issues of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery in their Disaster Management Plan (The Plan). The study was guided by the disaster management cycle made up of four phases,  namely prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The population of the study consisted of NANLN management, librarians, archivists, housekeeping staff, security personnel, the accountant and users, as well as personnel from support institutions. Applying purposive sampling technique, 40 respondents were selected to take part in the study. Data collection methods included interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations, and document analysis. The main finding is The Plan lacked most of the major components that make an ideal disaster preparedness plan. The study concluded that the Plan would be ineffective in the event of a disaster as it was incomplete. The recommendations include: staff awareness of the Plan and training; coming up with a comprehensive list of stakeholders and an updated list of contacts; acquisition of emergency supply kits; development of a security management plan; further development and regular reviews of The Plan.Keywords:  Archives; Disaster management; Disaster planning; Disaster preparedness; Libraries; Namibi

Screening everyday health information literacy among four populations

Abstract Background: People face varying obstacles when interacting with health information in their everyday lives. Objectives: This study aims to examine the applicability of a multidimensional Everyday Health Information Literacy (EHIL) screening tool in detecting people with challenges in accessing, understanding, evaluating and using health information in everyday situations. Methods: Previously collected EHIL screening tool data from Finnish upper secondary school students (n = 217), Finnish young men (n = 1450), Finnish adults with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome (n = 559) and Namibian university students (n = 271) were reanalysed to examine the factorial structure of the tool and to compare the groups. Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analyses, calculation of mean factor scores and one‐way analysis of variance. Results: A three factor structure (‘awareness’, ‘access’, ‘assessment’) for the screening tool was supported based on the Finnish samples. However, the Namibian data did not follow a similar structure. Significant differences in groupwise factor scores were discovered. Discussion: The findings suggest that the multidimensional EHIL screening tool can be used in pointing out areas where individuals or groups may need support. Conclusion: The tool may be useful to health information and library services workers when counselling or educating the public