Ratification of the SADC Gender Protocol gains momentum in countdown to 2015

Swaziland and Zambia became the latest countries to ratify the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development in September and October respectively. This happened on the backdrop of the costing implementation of the SADC Gender Protocol initiatives taking place in both countries.

Swaziland moved with haste to deposit their instruments of ratification with the SADC Secretariat, a technical step required to show the country’s commitment. Zambia is still to do so but the process is at an advanced stage.

This brings to eight countries that have signed, ratified and deposited their instruments of ratification of the Gender Protocol including Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Apart from Zambia, two other countries – Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa, have ratified but not deposited their instruments of ratification.

Malawi and Madagascar have signed only and are yet to ratify.

Most worrying are Botswana and Mauritius who are yet to sign the Gender Protocol. The Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance is pushing for the authorities in these countries to reconsider their position. Click here to read the Botswana strategy and related news from the country.

Focus of advocacy efforts:
– All SADC countries should align their gender policies and gender action plans to the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and cost these.
– Amendments or addendum on Gender and Climate Change to the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
– Roll out of GBV indicators project to measure extent, prevention, support, response and attitudes of GBV across the remaining 11 countries that have not done so.