BY WDN-ZW
Women’s Democracy network is a registered not for profit network of women leaders and gender champions dedicated to promoting gender equality and equity through capacity development, gender responsive policy making advocacy and mobilization of stakeholders for campaigns to promote women’s representation, participation and inclusion in leadership, public life and development processes.
The fight for equality is not a fight for special treatment, but a fight for equal treatment. The Action for Equality Campaign is a mass mobilization, movement building and collective advocacy effort to challenge harmful gender norms affecting women’s participation in public life. Despite making up over 50% of the population, women are underrepresented in leadership positions in public life. Harmful gender norms, gender-based violence, gender stereotypes biases limit women’s leadership potential, participation choices and perpetuate damaging social expectations. Moreover, most laws, policies and development programs are not gender-responsive, contributing to the slow pace of gender equality.
Our Call to Action for Equality is grounded in acknowledging that in our diversity is our strength, bringing together a mix of talents and skillsets that can unlock our individual and collective power to create change. Everyone matters, every action manner. Wherever you are and whatever comes into your mind, bring it on and embrace how your being is being directed to the Action of the moment. Your Voice matters, Your Opinion matters, Your Action Matters, You Matter, Noone is You and that’s your superpower, show up and play your part.
Gender social norms are deeply ingrained in our society driven by some belief systems and practices that marginalize women, silence women’s voice, discourage women from taking up leadership positions participation in development and decision-making, normalizing violence against women leaders and aspiring leaders, resist women’s leadership, voice and action for equality. Some norms are harmful that they punish women who speak out, participate and take up leadership opportunities. Together we can challenge and change them.
By joining the campaign, you will be part of a collective movement seeking to create a more just and equitable society for all genders. Your participation will help amplify the voices of women, gender champions and contribute to a world where they can thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we can make a difference. Time is now to challenge harmful gender-based social norms and advocate for policy changes that promote gender responsive policies, practices, processes and platforms that ensure women’s full and equal participation in public life.
2.Goal of the Campaign: To promote gender equality and equity by challenging harmful gender norms and advocate for women’s full and equal participation in public life.
3.Campaign Objectives:
i)To raise awareness on harmful social norms affecting women’s participation in public life
ii)To mobilize voice and action for gender equality and equity
iii)To advocate for gender responsive policy making.
iii)To facilitate platforms for duty bearer engagement
4.Campaign Approach: Individual or collective Actions initiatives, which can be done as an individual, with a group of friends, with family members, with work colleagues, as an organization or company, at your workplace, at family level, at your church, in your community and online and in person.
5.Campaign Platforms :Online :Facebook, Linked in X, Instagram, Zoom dialogues and learning sessions and WhatsApp group Chats. In person are subject to availability of funding ( no funding secured yet)
6.Campaign Activities: Any action of choice online or in person and sharing for amplification. Action can include Writing, Artwork, media engagement, Hosting Events learning, training, advocacy, debate or conversations
7.How to Join The Campaign: Email wdnzimbabwe@gmail.com,Follow and support ( like, share and comment) the Campaign on WDN social media handles,
Facebook: WDN-Zimbabwe
X: @WdnZimbabwe
LinkedIn: Women’s Democracy Network Zimbabwe.
Let’s challenge Harmful Social Norms! Let’s be Catalysts for Transformation! Let’s create a Gender-equal World for all! We need more women in public life, It is the right and Lets take responsibility to contribute to an enabling environment for Equality to prevail.
#Action4Equality #TimeToAct #SDG5 #Equalityforall