Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
EFFORTS to ensure development benefits everyone in Bulilima received a boost last week after council officials and community stakeholders underwent gender sensitisation training facilitated by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
The training, held last Friday, was designed to strengthen understanding of gender equality and help local leaders make more informed decisions when planning and delivering services across the district.
In a statement, Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) said the programme seeks to build a local government system that serves all members of the community fairly and equitably.
“The training focused on the importance of gender mainstreaming in council planning, budgeting, and service delivery, ensuring that the needs of women, men, girls, and boys are considered equally in development programs,” said Bulilima RDC.
Participants examined a range of issues affecting communities, including gender sensitivity, equality and equity, gender-based violence, gender laws and the protection of survivors. Discussions also explored the difference between protection and peace orders, which play an important role in supporting victims of abuse.
The council said the training provided an opportunity for departments to assess their current programmes and identify areas where gender considerations may be lacking.
“Facilitators from the Zimbabwe Gender Commission guided departments to review current programs and identify gaps where gender considerations are missing. Discussions centred on how infrastructure projects, health services, water provision, and agricultural support can be designed to benefit all groups without assuming a one-size-fits-all approach,” said the local authority in the statement.
The engagement further highlighted the importance of creating communities where everyone feels included and safe, regardless of gender. It also underscored the need to encourage equal participation in decision-making and ensure public services are delivered without discrimination.
“The engagement further emphasised the need for local authorities to create inclusive, safe, and gender-responsive communities; promote equal participation in decision-making; challenge harmful gender stereotypes; and ensure that public services benefit all members of the community without discrimination.”
Gender-based violence emerged as one of the key topics during the training, with officials and stakeholders discussing how to identify early warning signs, improve reporting systems and strengthen referral pathways for survivors.
According to the council, close collaboration between the police, health institutions, traditional leaders and civil society organisations is essential to ensure victims receive support quickly and effectively.
The local authority said the programme also reinforced the importance of equipping councils with the knowledge and tools needed to incorporate gender considerations into everyday governance and development work.
“Council departments were encouraged to include gender indicators in plans, collect sex-disaggregated data, and monitor whether programs are reaching both women and men equally,” said the council.
Council leaders pledged to take the message beyond local authority offices by working closely with traditional leaders, schools and community organisations.
“Council leadership committed to strengthening partnerships with traditional leaders, schools and community groups to spread the messages beyond council chambers.
“In addition, officials noted that as the district implements devolution projects, gender-responsive planning will help ensure that boreholes, roads, clinics and income-generating projects serve everyone fairly.”
The training comes as local authorities across the country are being encouraged to adopt more inclusive approaches to development, ensuring that public resources and services meet the needs of all sections of society.
