adminFrom Thandeka Moyo in Harare
ZIMBABWE is committed to the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment programmes, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said this at the ongoing Sadc Protocol on Gender @ Work summit in Harare yesterday.
He said the Summit has over the years proved valuable as it provides an opportunity for learning and sharing on gender equality between Government departments, Civil Society, Faith based Organisations and the Media.
He said 68 local authorities in Zimbabwe have joined the programme on gender mainstreaming which is aimed at ensuring that the local authorities provide gender sensitive service delivery.
“These 68 Centres of Excellence councils for gender mainstreaming have successfully reviewed their gender action plans in line with the provisions of the SDGs and Sadc Post 2015 agenda,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
“This will therefore enable the nation to push forward the spirit of the protocol in achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality.” He said despite, some setbacks in the achievement of the Sadc Protocol targets, Zimbabwe remained committed to the cause and significant progress has been recorded in the following areas.
“The adoption of a new Constitution in 2013 which is anchored upon principles of gender equality and contains elaborate gender provisions and specific provisions on women’s rights. We are in need of a programme to unpack the constitution so that women are made aware of the provisions so as to utilise them,” Minister Kasukuwere said.
He said women’s representation in Parliament has increased to 32 percent, up from 14,29 percent in 2008 and women now constitute 48percent of the Senate up from 33,33percent.
“Zimbabwe has put gender at the fore by prioritising SDG 5 on gender as one of the 10 priority areas the country will be addressing. There is still need for us to increase the momentum on advancing gender equality through increasing funding for gender equality programmes,” Minister Kasukuwere said.
He extended his gratitude to the Swedish Embassy for the support they are rendering to Gender Links, a Sadc non-Governmental organisation which promotes gender equality in the region.
Minister Kasukuwere urged other partners to increase support for coordination of gender mainstreaming activities to ensure the successful implementation of gender equality commitments.
@thamamoe.
Online Reporter