RAINBO – OVER, BUT NOT YET OUT! 

At a special meeting in September 2007, Rainbo’s board of trustees endorsed the recommendation of the CEO to close the organisation by the end of 2008.  It was not an easy decision to reach, and the board considered all external and internal factors very carefully. 

Rainbo was established in 1994 as an African voice with a belief in the fundamental rights of women’s bodily integrity and autonomous decisions in matters of sexuality and reproduction.  The mid-nineties was a time when the human rights agenda had moved to the forefront of the development discourse and a courageous call for women’s rights in Africa was much needed.  Rainbo started by owning the controversial issue of female genital mutilation, articulating it as a violation of rights, and not merely as a health concern.   

Rainbo worked with numerous international, regional and national governments and organisations to place female genital mutilation at the centre of plans for economic assistance, legal reform and health programmes.  We provided technical tools to work on the issue at community level and identified the most effective way to combat female genital mutilation through targeted social change focussing on empowering women.  In 2000, Rainbo launched a pan-African partnership for sexual and reproductive health and rights – Amanitare.  The partnership articulated the farthest-reaching and most progressive agenda on women’s rights ever to be developed in Africa.  Reaching 20 African countries, Amanitare has received wide acclaim across the continent and internationally.  In April 2007, it was decided that Amanitare would become an independent network based in Africa, headquartered in Johannesburg. 

Much has changed in the last thirteen years.  Development assistance has returned to emphasise economic growth and poverty alleviation, and has turned away from democratisation, human rights and social transformation.  At the same time, pioneering women’s organisations have succeeded in getting the language of women’s rights adopted by larger institutions.  In Africa, thanks to Rainbo and others, the importance of sexual health and rights is now recognised as central to the development agenda, and organisations, small and large, have incorporated them into their work. 

Much has been achieved, but of course our work is never done.  For Rainbo, it was clear that the next phase required the transformation of the organisation from a pioneer of ideas and a catalyst of change into a financial intermediary that raises funds in the north to support organisations in Africa.  We reached the conclusion that there are many other organisations in the north better equipped to play that role.  We, therefore, decided on a planned farewell. 

Our closure plan will take around twelve months during which time we will honour our commitments to all our partners in Africa.  Our focus during 2008 will be two-fold:  ensuring that our work in female genital mutilation continues; and completing the transitioning of Amanitare into a registered South African NPO.  By the end of 2008, Rainbo will cease to exist as a registered NGO in the UK and in the US. 

Rainbo will be strengthening the capacity of our partners in Sudan and Kenya working in female genital mutilation to take over our portfolio in this field.  We will also assist the Amanitare partnership to incorporate work in female genital mutilation across Africa where appropriate.  We will, therefore, ensure an appropriate level of support over the coming year in terms of funding, capacity-building workshops, training courses and materials. 

The other aspect of Rainbo’s work until the end of 2008 is assisting in the transitioning of Amanitare as an African network.  Rainbo will continue to provide programmatic, administrative, financial and fundraising support to the new president and board of Amanitare.  Planned programme activities, such as the leadership workshop and the publication of Amanitare Voices will take place, funding will be sought and a fundraising strategy will be developed. 

As Rainbo enters its final year, we wish to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have worked with us in Africa and around the world to help us achieve our goals.  We particularly want to thank our supporters who believed in us and who generously helped us pursue our vision.  It has been an exhilarating journey of seeing history in the making and of playing a small part in it.  We are blessed to have worked on issues that are close to our hearts and to have the memories that will sustain us for years to come.  We are confident that our work will be continued by new generations of women and men in Africa and around the world.  From all at Rainbo, it’s over, but not yet out!   

Professor Farid Esack                                             Dr Nahid Toubia               Chair of Board of Trustees                                       Chief Executive Officer