The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

80 DECEMBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Advancing Gender Issues in Swaziland THE AV I S BOHLEN AWARD FOR A FORE I GN SERV I CE FAMI LY MEMBER JOHN ANDERSON WARNER Shortly after moving to Mbabane with his FSO spouse, John Warner transformed what started as a social contact into full-time volunteer support to the Swazi nongovernmental organization Kwakha Indvodza. His dedi- cated participation contributed to the overall success of KI and, by extension, the embassy’s programs. Kwakha Indvodza, whose name means “Building a Man,” is focused on present- ing positive male role models to young Swazi men, giving them the resources to think critically about patri- archal structures in Swazi- land and exposing them to practices they can adopt to ensure more equal treatment for women. A small organiza- tion, it is entirely dependent on increasingly scarce donor resources. KI is also one of the few organizations in Swazi- land (the country officially changed its name to Eswa- tini on April 19) advancing women’s empowerment by reaching men, a critical avenue for success. As an unpaid volunteer, Mr. Warner took on the role of development and donor relations officer, writing pro- posals, coordinating resource mobilization efforts, organiz- ing donor outreach, conduct- ing research and mentoring staff. Prior to Mr. Warner’s arrival, KI had very limited staff capacity for writing proposals and monitoring grants. Seeing a need, he threw himself into learning these processes, weathering the high-stress process of completing proposal sub- missions on tight deadlines. He also helped KI develop a three-year strategic plan with a particular focus on how the organization can more effectively mobi- lize resources, both from individual and institutional donors. KI’s director says that Mr. Warner’s arrival enabled the group to conduct research that they had long talked about but never had the means to undertake. As part of his research, Mr. Warner interviewed a Swazi traditionalist, seeking to better understand local traditions and identify ways to use these traditions to prompt behavioral changes. He later received a scholar- ship to present a paper on behalf of KI at the 2018 Inter- national Social and Behavior Change Communication Summit in Bali, Indonesia. His research contributed to two articles that are on track for publication, which will further raise the profile of KI and con- tribute to the body of knowl- edge on behavioral change. Mr. Warner demonstrated a level of commitment that goes beyond what AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS one would expect of an employee, much less a vol- unteer. He worked evenings and weekends, and even rearranged holiday planning based on the needs of KI. He also mentored younger KI staff members, helping them with everything from draft- ing reports to preparing for their annual performance reviews. Mr. Warner is a Barba- dian-born American citizen currently living and working in Mbabane, Eswatini. He holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities and a mas- ter’s degree in regional integration studies from the University of the West Indies in Barbados, where he first developed an interest in the intersection between issues of gender and small nation development. n John Warner (at left) attends Kwakha Indvodza’s first ever “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” advocacy march against gender- based violence. COURTESYOFJOHNWARNER Avis Bohlen Award winner John Warner celebrates with his father-in-law, Jesse Starks, FSO wife Joia Starks and baby Jonah after the ceremony. AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA