Zimbabwe: Centres of excellence for gender mainstreaming in local government paying dividends

The gains made on mainstreaming gender in local government structures through the Centres of Excellence, a project of Gender Links working local associations are a testimony to the fact that change is possible using the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development as a policy framework during interventions.

For example in Chiredzi the councillors are working to ensure that the gender policy is adopted; there is a women of purpose conference planned; women councillors in Chiredzi are engaging more with the media and there are plans to cascade the 5050 campaign to the council. In Beitbridge there has been a move to ensure that all new drivers appointed are women as way of getting women into non-traditional positions for women; have increased market stands from women from 20% to 45% share since the gender training. Apart from campaigning for a separate gender budget line in Makoni, women are being considered for the land reform programme and there are efforts to redress the gender imbalances in areas of decision making.