Zimbabwe

UCAZ is a voluntary and apolitical municipal forum where councils can discuss issues of common concern. The newsletter includes an article on Gender Links’ first Zimbabwe gender justice and local government summit.

In an effort to transform effectively the provisions of the national, regional and international legal and human rights instruments on a practical level, the government of Zimbabwe has drawn up and adopted the National Gender Policy. It provides guidelines and an institutional framework to engender all policies and programmes at all levels of society and the economy.

These reports set out building blocks for the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance in Botswana led by the Alliance focal network in collaboration with Gender Links and the Alliance Secretariat

From a baseline score of 10 to a progressive score of 71.
One of the largest district in Mashonaland West Province.

Before
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Rampant cutting down of trees by tobacco farmers.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Increase in stream bank cultivation and siltation of Save river tributaries.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Reduced rainfall pattern especially causing drought and poverty.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Prostitutes in Headlands Township led to households instability .
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Subcontracted timber harvesting at Headlands, Mufusire and Temaruru plantations.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Veld fires killed people and destroyed properties.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Unemployment of school leavers.
After
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Timber, firewood and coal sale point at Headlands Township.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Awareness campaigns conducted by council.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Establishment of Maungwe Investments Pvt Ltd 100% shares, owned by council .
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Formulation of conservation bye-laws and nine policies from 2010 to 2013.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ Establishment of fire brigade and 24 hour ambulance facility.
Á¯ ƒ ˜ School leavers took tobacco farming as a business.

Á¯  ¶ Knowledge Gap on Gender Issues
Á¯  ¶ Reserved positions of authority and certain jobs for men
Á¯  ¶ Women were marginalised and were not involved in decision making
After intervention:
Á¯  ¶ Appreciation and understanding of gender issues
Á¯  ¶ Number of female leaders increased
Á¯  ¶ Budgeted for Gender activities
Á¯  ¶ Women empowerment
Á¯  ¶ Public participation in consultative and budget meetings
Á¯  ¶ Nomination of Ward Gender Focal Persons

50/50 by 2015: Demanding a strong post 2015 agenda! Summit 14 -17 April 2014 The third Zimbabwe SADC Protocol @ Work Summit was held at Pandhari Lodge from 14-17 April […]

The ministers of gender and local government today celebrated Zimbabwe’s success at the SADC Gender Protocol@Work Summit in Johannesburg last month, as they geared up for Zimbabwe taking over leadership of the regional body in August.

Gender is all about Chinyemba and the women. That is what the Human Resources Officer Mr Zvobgo would say whenever l talked about gender issues. In the first bye in meeting one of the councilors was not happy about addressing gender issues he shouted out and said that â € œwhat is so special about gender â € œyet there are people with disabilities and hunger. Work has been carried out as usual at the local authority but we never really bothered to show how far it addressed gender mainstreaming. Gender imbalance was not addressed and gender stock was not taken. After the Centre of Excellency programme, as a local authority we advocated for a responsive gender budgeting that contributed to the advancement of gender equality and fulfillment of womenâ € ™s rights. We try by all means to identify and to carry out needs assessment to address gender gaps. With the little resources available we try to provide a sustainable economy to our community .We seek to advocate and educate our communities on gender issues. As a Rural district Council we are looking for ways to uplift our rural communities and improving their way of life. We try by all means to provide access to essential facilities .We are also mandated to formulate polices that address the needs of the community. Gender activities were happening and taking place in all corners but it was silent and not documented. After several trainings of various leaders and the community gender is now everybodyâ € ™s talk .Its mandatory to conscientious the community at any gathering about gender mainstreaming. Every activity done now should indicate gender equality. The communities are now gender aware and various structures put in place in all the wards to make sure that there is gender talk and gender agenda. The management is now gender sensitive, a bye inn for local leaders was done and it was a success.