More member states ratify SADC Protocol

Seven SADC members have now completed ratification of the SADC Gender and Development Protocol and two more are nearing completion, according to the head of the regional body’s gender unit.

In a speech at the launch of the SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer in South Africa at the ISS meeting Magdeline Mathiba-Madibela revealed that Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have completed ratification processes.

“I am aware that DRC and South Africa are at advanced stages of ratification as per report to Council of Minister in August 2010 in Namibia,” she said.

She congratulated the SADC Gender Alliance for its Barometer, pointing out that monitoring and evaluation must indeed be strengthened at all levels to ensure close measuring of implementation of the Protocol’s targets.

“The second publication of the SADC Barometer on Gender and Development could not have come at a better time,” she said. “This has proved useful over the years as it encourages open engagement, catalyses action as pressure mechanism to states, and also serves as a powerful advocacy tool.”

Mathiba-Madibela also encouraged all stakeholders to use the report in a “useful and productive manner.