By WDN-ZW
Achieving gender equity and equality is key to the effort to create a just and fair society. Which has seen Harare City Council’s commitment in ensuring that men and women, boys and girls participate in the development process and live their full potential free from all forms of harmful practices that stand in the way of gender equity revealed Councillor Rosemary Muronda, Harare City Deputy Mayor who was represented by Councilor Choice Mpofu during a second cohort of Gender Responsive Policy Making Training Workshop hosted by Women’s Democracy Network- Zimbabwe (WDN-ZW) and its partner the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Harare recently.
She pointed out that Sustainable Development Goal number 5 (SDG 5) on Achieving Gender Equality and Empower all women and girls is off track and there is need for coordinated efforts to fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
“It is crucial as we manage the complexity of governance and policymaking because it will pave the path for a future where everyone will live in greater equity.
“Time is now to act and it begins with people like you to make a difference, take ownership on making a difference at individual, community and national level.
“I celebrate your courage and commitment to make time to show up and tool up so that you can meaningfully contribute to a Harare that enables gender and social inclusion as well as participation in development for all, leaving no one behind,” she said.
Further she lauded government efforts on the strides towards gender responsive policy making initiative through the National development Strategy 1 (NDS1), promoting gender equality in all spheres with some of its tenants which are striving for improved health outcome, enhanced human rights, strengthened democratic governance, addressing gender-based violence, increased political representation and alignment with international commitments which shows progress by the Government in regard to gender-to-Gender Mainstreaming.
More so she added that Harare City Council remain committed in partnering with WDN and facilitate opportunities and platforms for active full participation and inclusion to gender responsive policy making.
“Harare City belongs to you, we invite you to actively participate in water and sanitation issues, environment and climate change, children’s rights and health, annual budgetary processes and contribute to gender responsive policy making and gender responsive development for all.
“Our society is disturbingly marred by harmful socio-cultural gender norms manifesting in the diversity of cultures and religious settings as major drivers of barriers to women’s access to information, opportunities and platforms to participate in public life.
“If Gender champions in their diversity are trained in gender responsive policy making and provided with ongoing technical support they become aware, confident, inspired, ignited, equipped with knowledge and skills to drive public advocacy campaigns that lead to policy initiatives to address structural barriers and harmful socio-cultural gender norms that restrict women’s full participation in public life.
She also expressed confident that after the training, gender champions will play their part and their contributions the city will be transformed to a beacon of gender responsiveness.
“There are a number of policy gaps that require gender responsive policy making technical support. Join me from this moment on, let us all take action to promote gender responsive policy making, identify address and advocate for ending harmful gender social norms affecting women’s participation in public life, said Muronda.
Speaking at the same event Michell Biriwasha, program officer at International Republic Institute reiterated Deputy Mayor Muronda’s remarks saying it is high time public and private institutions should take gender responsive policy making seriously as it helps to address the needs, priorities of all persons and increase chances of equitable access to services and opportunities across all sexes.
Also she added that in order to achieve gender responsive policy making in all spheres there is need for a robust strategy, including having in place a pool of gender champions who are individuals dedicated to breaking gender barriers and challenge gender stereotypes, including in policy making.
Roles of gender champions include but are not limited. “Engaging various stakeholders at all societal levels to ensure policy making is sensitive to the needs of women and men. Participation in policy and law-making processes and promote gender sensitivity.
“Monitor and evaluate existing policies and identify any gaps and take relevant steps for such to be addressed. Organizing awareness raising programs on gender equality, including in policy making and challenge discriminatory practices in policy formulation and implementation,” Biriwasha revealed.
She also shared some recommendations with the gender champions from IRI experience in programming.
“You should consider coordinated efforts among you and other gender champions who have been trained before you to strengthen your voice, that way you increase chances of achieving what you set out to do. “Be as inclusive as possible in your efforts, include marginalized groups such as women, youth and people living with disability so that their perspective are also taken on board.
“Be sure to promote information integrity in your efforts, be wary of disinformation and misinformation as this can easily derail your quest for gender responsive policy making,” she noted
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