adminSemukeliso Gono
THE continuous stride towards gender equality is an agenda which the Women’s University in Africa has embraced as part of the global family. March 22, 2016 will yet again offer an opportunity of celebrations and reflection. Once again the world will be celebrating the International women’s Day and the Women’s University in Africa and its collaborative partners will be found acknowledging the champions in promoting and putting measures to achieve gender equality.It will not just be about celebrating but an opportunity for everyone to take stock on what has happened, what is happening and what will happen to ensure gender balance is achieved. The consensus is that it is fatal to leave a constituency more than half the population behind in issues of development. This is what has prompted the University to adopt the global theme for 2016 which is #PledgeForParity. Under the theme everyone has a goal to commit within their own sphere of influence which is simply; to commit to taking action to accelerate gender parity.
The event which will carry the day has been moved from the traditional Hope Fay Hotel & Conference Centre in Marondera to The Sango Conference Centre in Msasa, Harare. From previous encounters Harare is set to assume a purple colour even in the absence of the flowery jacaranda tree. The proceedings which will transcend from morning till evening and will have an exhibition by stakeholders to educate the public on the day and various products or services they provide to the publics.The university’s mandate is to address gender disparity and foster equity in university education. It is training for leadership positions to narrow the gap between men and women thus ensuring gender equality. To drive or push other organizations or individuals to play their part in gender parity, WUA and its collaborative partners have introduced IWD Gender Parity Awards to be issued during the international women’s day celebrations. An IWD Awards committee was put in place and will adjudicate nominees and announce the prize recipients. Three categories in the following have been put up :-
1.Best innovative organization/individual/institution towards attainment of gender parity
2.Lifetime achievement in gender issues
3.Lead advocate in Gender parity
Four renowned speakers have also been lined up to talk on the critical subjects identified as:-
1.systems or policies from a donor community environment put in place to achieve gender parity and whether we can commit that the Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality will be achieved?
2.systems or policies from civic group environment put in place to achieve gender parity and whether we can commit that Gender Based Violence will ever be eradicated?
3.systems or policies from an academic environment put in place to achieve gender parity and whether we can commit that the AU Agenda 2063 on women empowerment will be achieved?
4. donor community and financial sector environment what systems or policies put in place to achieve gender parity and whether we can commit that the Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reduced inequalities will be achieved?
There are prizes for those who like our Facebook page and also follow us on twitter. Get more information www.wua.ac.zw.
Online Reporter