SADC Takes the Post 2015 gender agenda forward: 36th SADC summit approves revised Gender Protocol

On Correspondence

The recently concluded 36^th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State approved the revised Protocol on Gender and Development. This paves way for the signing and ratification of the revised gender equality instrument aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 as well as the Beijing + 20 Review Report. At the time of going to press Namibia and Malawi media had been confirmed as signatories to the revised Protocol.

This follows the endorsement of the revised Protocol by the SADC Council of Ministers that met prior to the summit of heads of state and government. In her speech at the official opening ceremony of the summit, the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomenia Lawrence Tax commended the region for reviewing the Protocol on Gender and Development.

“In the area of Gender, the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development was reviewed in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 as well as the Beijing + 20 Review Report. The review of the Protocol also necessitated the review of its monitoring tool. The Monitoring tool will enable monitoring of the implementation of the Protocol, which is key to the achievements of the regional women empowerment and gender equality targets.”

According to a statement released by the SADC this is one of seven protocols that were tabled for adoption and signature. Once signed, the protocol will have to be ratified again for it to enter into force at national level in the 15 member states. At least two-thirds of the SADC Member States (10 countries) are required to ratify the agreement for it to enter into force.

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