adminA total of 58 entrants, 43 women and 15 men, showcased work on the ground at their respective local authorities in 10 categories, institutional change, leadership, youth leadership, support, response and prevention of gender based violence (GBV), HIV and Aids care work, gender governance, local economic development and climate change. There were 18 winners in the 10 categories.
Councillor Thembeni Khoza of Bulawayo’s Ward 12 won the first prize in the climate change and sustainable development class, while the city’s gender focal person, Mrs Audrey Manyemwe, was the runner-up in the gender violence prevention category.
Clr Khoza was presented with a certificate and a ticket to fly to South Africa to represent the country in the regional summit from 23 to 25 April, as were all first prize winners.
She impressed judges with a project in which a clean-up campaign was held in her ward for the removal of refuse, with the assistance of council.
The project also presented other green avenues like collection of recyclable material.
Chiredzi won the most awards, coming first in the gender violence response, gender and governance and the HIV/Aids and care work.
Chiredzi’s Clr Benardette Chipembere dedicated her award in gender and governance to President Mugabe and Gender Links.
“I dedicate this to His Excellency, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, for signing the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development. He has now afforded us the chance to learn and showcase our efforts in the region, while advancing the cause of women against marginalisation. I also want to thank Gender Links for organising this summit and teaching how to empower ourselves,” said an elated Clr Chipembere.
Addressing delegates at the awards ceremony, Victoria Falls deputy mayor, Clr Patricia Mwale, said the Sadc protocol’s achievement of the 50-50 gender participation in politics and decision-making was achievable by 2015.
“We came from far and wide and congregated in Kadoma for a worthy cause, that of promoting the practical advancement of women through showcasing the best practices that we initiated and implemented as women. As women, we are the centre-pivot in the development chain.
Judging from the presentations that we showcased, I have no doubt that the attainment of the 50-50 representation is within striking distance,” said Clr Mwale.
Broadly, the protocol advances gender equality by ensuring accountability by all Sadc member states, as well as providing a platform for the sharing of best practices, peer support and review.
It aims to reform constitutional and legal rights to enshrine gender equality, governance, gender representation and participation, equal access to education and training for both sexes and take measures to promote the equal representation of women in ownership and decision-making structures in the media, among other things.
Member states submit comprehensive reports to the Sadc secretariat every two years indicating the progress made on the implementation of the provisions.
The protocol was adopted by the region on 17 August 2008 and Zimbabwe became a signatory in 2009.
Online Reporter