The Research and Advocacy Unit [RAU] is an independent, non-governmental organisation. Its Mission is to provide high-quality research for the purposes of relevant and current policy change. RAU is run by a Management Committee composed of experienced researchers and advocacy experts.RAU’s work to date has focused on three major areas that are important in the current crisis in Zimbabwe: Women, Displacements, and Governance. RAU works with a wide variety of Zimbabwean, regional, and international partners in connection with the above areas. RAU also provides independent analyses of important current issues in Zimbabwe, ranging from elections, the Global Political Agreement, legal matters, etc.

Set up in 2006, RAU has produced over 100 reports and opinion pieces on a wide variety of topics. Some reports are issued in RAU’s own name, whilst others are issued in the name of our partner organisations. RAU is a member of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and has a long-standing partnership with Idasa.

Please read our latest report by Rumbidzai Dube, a Senior Researcher in the Women's section titled "She probably asked for it!" which is a preliminary study based on a recent survey conducted by RAU to find out about societal perceptions of rape.

The book "Compromise or Compromised?" the 2013 Democracy Index for Zimbabwe in which Rumbidzai Dube, one of our researchers has a chapter is either available for download here or you can contact our offices for a hard copy.

Our latest report from the Womens' section is "Till Death do us Part. Marriage in Zimbabwe" which is based on discussions with women from our Focus Discussion Groups and their experiences.

Please follow this link to view 'A State of Shame', 5 women's testimonies about how they are surviving following being raped during the violent 2008 election and run off period:

http://youtu.be/9UkOXEefXc8

Please take time to read our blog with comments on topical issues. Follow this link: http://www.researchandadvocacyunit.wordpress.com/