SADC Executive Secretary speaks at the launch of the SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer: Gaborone

SADC Executive Secretary Tomaz Augusto Salomão launched the 2010 SADC Gender Protocol Progress Barometer in Gaborone, Botswana on 25 November.

In his keynote speech, Salomão said “SADC is indeed honoured to be a part of the launching of the 2010 SADC Gender Protocol Progress Barometer. I have been made aware that at this very meeting, the Botswana shadow report will be launched – despite the fact that Botswana has not yet signed the Protocol: It is testimony to the fact that the Protocol is being put to work even where it is not formally in effect.”

Salomão also shed light on the status of ratification of the SADC Gender Protocol, noting that although just two countries (Namibia and Zimbabwe) have formally ratified, Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania have completed their ratification process at national level but have yet to submit their instruments to the Secretariat. In addition, he said Lesotho, South Africa and Seychelles have reported that they are at an advanced place with the national ratification process and all have committed to submitting instruments to the Secretariat.

“The process of ratification is very slow, but at the same time very encouraging,” he said. “As you are aware, SADC requires two thirds of the signatories to bring the Protocol into force.”

He also said the SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer comes at an opportune time as SADC Member States are preparing to submit the first country reports since adoption of the Gender Protocol in 2008.

Salomão paid tribute to the SADC Gender Unit, women from NGOs and civil society for their hard work and commitment towards achieving gender equality and equity, thereby reiterating his personal commitment to the cause.

Click on the document below for full speech.

At the same occasion, the Botswana 2010 Barometer country report was launched by Kelobogile Kgabi, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, Gender and Civil matters.

The report was well received and sparked an interesting debate on the key findings and challenges being faced by the people of Botswana as they work toward achieving gender equality by 2015.

The event was jointly organised by the Head of the SADC Gender Unit Magdeline Madibela and the Gender Links Botswana Office. Guests included directors and officials from the Secretariat, representatives from the Gender Unit; Alliance Partners and other NGO networks, representatives from local governments associations, academia and the media.

Download : Keynote Speech, Tomaz Salomao