Zimbabwe: Good practice in gender mainstreaming acknowledged

Harare, 17 April: The third Zimbabwe SADC Protocol@Work Summit closed in Harare on 16 April with winning awards to 10 women and two men whose work on the ground won the highest accolades from judges and participants during presentations made earlier this week. Six women and three men received awards as runner ups. Gender Links-Zimbabwe hosted the colourful gala dinner at Pandhari Lodge in Harare.

The summit featured 67 entries from six provinces of Zimbabwe in a variety of categories including women’s rights, gender based violence, climate change, leadership, alliance and coalition building, 50/50 campaign, government, print media and local government centres of excellence.

Under the banner “50/50 by 2015 and demanding a strong post 2015 agenda!” the conference brought together government ministries, local government authorities, municipalities, NGOs, faith based organisations and representatives of ministries of gender and local government.

Kadoma City Council scooped most of the prizes collecting a total of five awards for winners and runner-ups.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo who re-affirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment towards gender equality and attaining 50/50. The Minister also alluded to the fact that Zimbabwe is staying ahead of post 2015 processes by keeping gender dimensions in climate change on the radar and using the 2013 adopted Constitution and the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset) as development frameworks that allow for equal citizen participation.

The winners are: Bulawayo City Council (Local Government Centre of Excellence – Urban); Zvimba Rural District Council (Local Government Centre of Excellence – Rural); Chitungwiza Municipality (Local Government Centre of Excellence – Most improved); Fungai Magodi (Emerging entrepreneurs); Rumbidzai Muparutsa (Women’s Rights); Langton Mabhanga (Leadership); Innocent Jenje (Climate change); Musasa Project (Gender-Based Violence); Tsitsi Mhlanga (50/ 50 campaign); Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau (Alliance and Coalition Building); Thandeka Amanda Moyo (Media – Print); and Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing (Government).

This article is part of the GL News Service special coverage of the SADC Gender Protocol Summits underway across the region, offering fresh views on everyday news.