Eileen Sawyer Memorial Lecture In honour of Mrs Eileen Sawyer, a founding trustee of the LRF and its National Director for many years, the LRF together with the Human Rights NGO Forum organised the first in what is intended to be an annual lecture series. Mr Sternford Moyo’s inaugural lecture addressed socio-economic rights and challenged both the legal fraternity and the human rights community to be proactive in researching and taking up issues. At the same event scholarships were awarded to one student from each of the University of Zimbabwe and Midlands State University. The selection of the recipients was based on their demonstrated passion for human rights. Universal Periodic Review The LRF participated in the drafting of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Mid-Term Shadow Report which was submitted in March 2014, ahead of the Government report due in December 2014. For the purpose of gathering information, civic society organisations participating in the UPR process were grouped into five clusters, with the LRF being appointed rapporteur for the Rule of Law cluster, which covered the constitution-making process, administration of justice, the Global Political Agreement (GPA), prisons, rule of law, sovereignty, and national healing and reconciliation. Commemorations All LRF centres participated in commemorations during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in December 2013. On touring the exhibition stands, the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development commended the LRF on their stand and acknowledged the work that the organisation is doing. She stated that her Ministry was very willing to work with the LRF: “I know the LRF very well, they are our colleagues assisting women and children on legal issues. We appreciate your reading materials; they are very useful and easy to understand. However, I urge you to increase your outreach especially to women and children who are in dire need of legal aid and legal education.” Mr N. giving a solidarity speech at a commemoration 27