Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE will host the upcoming Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Ministers of Gender and Women Affairs meeting from June 24 to 27 in Harare.
The meeting, expected to attract around 150 delegates from Sadc member states, will review progress made in implementing the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa announced this at a Press conference in Harare, saying the gathering provides an opportunity for ministers to discuss ways to address challenges hindering gender equality and women’s empowerment in the region.
The meeting will be guided by the 2025 SADC theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised Sadc.”
Sen Mutsvangwa highlighted the need for innovation to unlock potential in key economic sectors and emphasised the importance of women’s economic participation in driving growth.
“Removing barriers to women’s economic participation facilitates equitable and inclusive economic engagement, innovation, and growth,” Sen Mutsvagwa said.
She said despite existing policies and strategies, gaps still remain, and the meeting will provide a platform for member states to share best practices and collectively deliberate on ways to address these challenges.
“We look forward to an increase in the number of institutions that will take up the Sadc Gender Equality Seal programme to promote gender equality,” she added.
The meeting aims to produce concrete, actionable plans and resolutions outlining specific steps and timelines for enhancing gender equality and addressing challenges faced by women and girls. The outcomes will be tabled before the Sadc Summit of Heads of State and Government.
