SADC Ministers Discuss Gender Equity Plans

Catherine Sasman

3 June 2011

SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) ministers responsible for gender and women’s affairs met in Windhoek yesterday to discuss accelerating the implementation of gender mainstreaming and equity instruments as a region.

High on the agenda is the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which has so far been ratified by eight member states, including Namibia.

Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku, on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, urged all member states to ratify the protocol for the region to give effect to its collective commitment to promote gender equality and work towards the gender targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said there is still concern on whether SADC countries have taken adequate action to attain gender parity, saying that the impact on the lives of people in the region should be quantified.

“Governments must turn their good intentions into actions and programmes,” said Hausiku.

SADC recognises gender equality as a fundamental human right and an integral part of regional integration, economic growth and social development.

Its Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISP) further identifies gender equity and women’s empowerment as a priority intervention within the SADC regional integration agenda.

But, said SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, Emilie Mushobekwa, it is important to move on the protocol three years after its adoption.

She said the SADC Secretariat has already developed a clear roadmap to make the protocol operational, adding that a regional plan of action must be developed to guide national action plans.

Member States are expected to align their gender policies and national action plans to the protocol.

Namibia’s Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Doreen Sioka, said Namibia has made significant progress in the implementation of the protocol, and that the country is in the last stages of finalising a gender-based violence plan of action, a stand-alone plan to address pervasive violence against women and children.

The ministers’ meeting also discussed gender mainstreaming of SADC structures and institutions, as well as women’s empowerment programmes through business and informal cross-border trade.

Angola will take over the SADC chair from Namibia, and will host the next meeting of gender ministers in 2012.

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