Helping Victims of the "Virgin Myth"

This week's CNN Hero is Betty Makoni, a native of Zimbabwe who founded the Girl Child Network (GCN). Many young girls in Zimbabwe are the victims of

a widely held belief that if a man with HIV or AIDS rapes a virgin he will be cured of his disease. This so-called virgin myth, perpetuated by Zimbabwe's traditional healers, has led to the rape of hundreds of girls, according to UNICEF. Some of those victims are too young to walk, much less protect themselves.

Makoni's organization help these girls through 700 girls' clubs and three "empowerment villages" where girls who have been abused receive emergency medication, reinstatement in school and counseling.

Makoni's efforts are feature in "Tapestries of Hope" a feature length documentary on the virgin myth and its victims.