Zim hosts 2018 SADC Protocol@Work Summit

For immediate release: Zim hosts 2018 SADC Protocol @ Work Summit and Awards

Harare, 18 May 2018: The Zimbabwe 2018 SADC Protocol @ Work Summit and Awards will take place at Cresta Lodge in Harare from the 22^–23 May 2018. The two day summit running under the theme “Local Action for a strong 2030 A-gender in Southern Africa” will provide a platform to review and plan the way forward in the implementation of gender action plans and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The summit’s main objective is to review best practices from the local government sector on the 2030 Agenda for the 17 SDGs adopted in 2015. Amongst other things, the summit will:

• Gather evidence on the SADC Gender Protocol@Work through case studies on leadership programmes as well as institutional practices.
• Popularise the Agenda 2030 SADC Gender Protocol and its related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) gender targets and indicators.
• Establish progress scores for the Local Government Centres Of Excellence (COE) for Gender in Local Government in line with the Post 2015 SADC Gender protocol and Sustainable Development Agenda.
• To acknowledge and affirm survivors of gender violence who are reclaiming their lives.

Gender Links (GL) is happy that achieving gender equality and empowering women is integral to each of the 17 goals.  Similarly, it is a plus that SDG 5 on gender equality is one of the ten action areas prioritised by the government of Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, 79 local authorities have joined the programme on gender mainstreaming which is aims at ensuring local authorities provide gender sensitive service delivery. These 79 COEs have successfully reviewed their gender action plans in line with the provisions of the SDGs.

The summit will provide a platform for knowledge dissemination and sharing of best practices from various sectors across Zimbabwe including Government departments, NGOs, Community Based Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, Gender in Local Government COE including councillors; Gender Focal Persons of local authorities; Gender Champions, Gender Drivers of Change and emerging entrepreneurs.

Participants will present best practices in eight thematic areas including Local Government COE institutional, entrepreneurship, Gender-Based Violence, (GBV) Economic Justice, Rights (Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, Governance), Climate Change and Sustainable Development.

These best practices play a key role in the production of the annual SADC Gender Protocol Barometer. They provide qualitative evidence showing the progress made by governments, civil society and ordinary citizens in closing the existing gender inequality gaps in their communities through the implementation of the SADC Gender Protocol.

The SADC Gender Protocol@work summit is an opportunity for different target groups to share good practices on advancing gender equality and for Gender Links to strengthen its partnerships with local authorities and like-minded organisations across the country. At the summit, participants from different parts of the country get a rare opportunity to discuss the impact of their work.

SADC Protocol@Work summits evolved out of the biannual Gender and Media summits held since 2004 and the annual Gender Justice and Local Government summits that started in 2011. In 2013, with pressure mounting for the 2015 deadline of the SADC Gender Protocol (initially aligned to the MDGs) the summits came together in one annual SADC Gender Protocol@Work summit. The last Zimbabwe summit saw a total of 155 case studies showcased by local authorities, civil society, CBOs and FBOs. In all, the SADC Protocol@Work summits have gathered over 2000 case studies of the SADC Protocol@Work.

For more information contact Priscilla Maposa on zimmanager@genderlinks.org.za Cell: +263 772 735 722 Tel: +263 4 798600