Zimbabwe continues to push for equality

Harare, 23 May 2018: The 2018 Zimbabwe SADC Protocol @ Work Summit running under the theme “Local Action for a strong 2030 A-gender in Southern Africa!” ended today with the best practices showcased by participants being awarded.

Fourteen winners and eleven runner-up’s in 11 categories were awarded for showcasing unique projects being undertaken in gender mainstreaming. Local government councils; Civil Society Organisation and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) showcased 165 case studies.

The event was organised by Gender Links and successfully promoted peer learning through sharing of good practices.

The awards night was made unique by an “I” story that was presented by one of the emerging entrepreneurs who is a survivor of gender-based violence who managed to reclaim her life through the entrepreneurship programme being undertaken by Gender Links.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing George Magosvongwe officially opened the summit and commended 79 councils currently working with Gender Links under the Centres of Excellence programme for local authorities.  Magosvongwe urged local authorities to put in place mechanisms to close the existing gender gaps and focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the 2030 deadline.

For the first time, Gender Links has used the new scoring system whereby residents were given the opportunity to rate their councils. This was done through administering the community assessment form to the residents. The new assessment technique proved to be a useful tool that helped judges in assessing the work being done by the Centres of Excellence (COE) councils that presented best practices at the summit. The councils were given colour coded certificates depending on their implementation of gender mainstream projects institutionally.

Local authourities, government and civil society must put in place strong networking strategies in the fight against gender imbalance. The achievement of all 17 SDGs depends on gender equality and local authorities will never provide good quality services to citizens until gender equality is achieved.

For more information contact:  Priscila Maposa on zimmanager@genderlinks.org.za or phone 00263772735722. Or 002634798600.