Summit is a training ground for gender mainstreaming and ending GBV

Participants at the just ended Gender Justice and Local Government summit have described this year’s summit as a good training and learning ground for local authorities.

Some 280 representatives from local government authorities, municipalities, non-governmental organisations, journalists and other professionals attended the summit organised by Gender Links (GL) under the banner “365 days of local action end violence and empower women.”

Director of Housing and Community Services at Zimbabwe’s City of Gweru, Unity Jaji said she is grateful to GL for having organised such an information-enriching event where most of her expectations were met.
Ms Jaji who is also the gender focal person for the municipality said that her knowledge and understanding of gender mainstreaming has been enhanced by the different presentations and panel discussions.

“At this summit, a variety of topics were discussed and I enjoyed listening to them, especially on climate change, which is a relatively new topic that is critical to most of us women as we are the ones most affected. I also enjoyed the information and technology session, because I know that I will now no longer lag behind on information,” said Ms Jaji.

Participants Wednesday joined the information highway as laptops were set up for cyber dialogues and a learning journey where participants were navigated through how to use the new Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).

District Planning Officer at Kapiri Mposhi District Council in Zambia, Chanda Senkwe echoed these sentiments saying the summit has exceeded his expectations, especially the quality of presentations that have been show cased this year compared to last year.

Participants have exhibited seriousness in showcasing their work through the projects presented, Senkwe said adding that he learnt many new ideas that he would take back home.

Eastern Cape Emalahleni Municipality Special Programmes Unit Officer Misikhaya Matoti said he came to this year’s summit to learn best practices of mainstreaming gender and his expectation was met. Next year, he plans to come with his mayor.

The national programme officer of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) in Mozambique Estrela Monica Bila said that had amassed a wealth of information that would enable her push the gender work further in her country. Networking with colleagues and learning more about the challenges of home-based care in other countries, she added, were also added benefits.

Ministry of Local Government Civil Administrator, Madagascar Ronoromalola Lantohariliano said that the summit was a practical training ground on finding solutions to ending gender-based violence and encouraging councils to mainstream gender in their work place.

Perpetual Sichikwenkwe is a journalist with Times of Zambia. This article is part of GL Opinion and Commentary Service, special news and analysis series of the 2012 Gender Justice and Local Government Summit.