The Conflict, Security and Development Group

Prior to joining the Fellowship Programme Dadirai Chikwengo headed an Adult Literacy Campaign in Zimbabwe to promote the government’s policy on education for all by 2000. Following this, she joined the National Constitutional Assembly, campaigning for constitutional reform in Zimbabwe eventually contributing to the mobilisation of the ‘no vote’ to the 2000 Constitutional Referendum. Upon completion of her studies, Dadirai returned to Zimbabwe and joined the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as the Head of Justice and Peace and Global Solidarity Unit. In this role she worked with various advocacy partners who were advocating for social justice in various areas, among them HIV/AIDS, Peace building, Food Security, Human Rights, Civic Participation and Civil Society Strengthening. Dadirai has also worked on dialogue and Peace Communities in Zimbabwe in response to political violence. In addition, she served as the link person for the CRS Global Solidarity Project and the Africa Campaign linking national advocacy initiatives to the regional and international initiatives. Dadirai studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies for a MA in International law and Comparative legal sytems from the School of Oriental and African Studies, UK, having been awarded the British Chevening Scholarship.