Olga Makoni, Vice Chairperson of WDN Zimbabwe
In a bold move to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment, Women’s Democracy Network Zimbabwe has launched The Gender Responsiveness Show, a pioneering podcast program that promises to reshape the conversation around gender-responsive policy making and implementation. Premiering yesterday, the show brings together Gender Champions from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences, insights and expertise, sparking engaging discussions, interviews and debates that will inspire and inform audiences across the country.
The Gender Responsiveness Show arrives at a critical moment, offering a powerful platform for change and a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and equitable future said Olga Makoni, Vice Chairperson of WDN Zimbabwe.
She pointed out that the show amplifies voices of Gender Champions advocating for Gender Responsive Policy Making to increase women’s participation in public life.
“In conversation, Gender Champions raise awareness on gender issues, speak to their experiences in different sectors, share and exchange information and ideas on what can be done at household, community and national level to address challenges, policy gaps, structural barriers and sociocultural gender norms that restrict women’s full participation in public life.
“The Gender Responsiveness Show seeks to inspire and unlock individual and collective power towards prioritizing action to become active champions of gender equality, speaks truth to gender dynamics that requires action to hold duty bearers accountable, promote good governance and realign policies to ensure women can reach their full potential without discrimination or limitation.,” she said.
“More so the show also comes is to ignite and cultivate political will of stakeholders and policy makers to reflect, take stock of current policies, structures and practices, identify gaps and facilitate for public consultation, engagements and platforms for co-creating lasting solutions an sustained resourcing mechanisms to ensure institutions and key actors with mandates to ensure gender responsive policy design, implementation, oversight are adequately equipped with knowledge, skills and support they require to exercise their mandate.
We are excited to launch this innovative show, which will provide a unique platform for Gender Champions to share their stories and expertise, our goal is to amplify voices and inspire sustained action to promote gender-responsive policy making and implementation towards increased women’s participation in public life, added Makoni.
Further she narrated that the show will feature a diverse range of voices and topics, including gender-responsive policy making, role of gender champions, gender responsive public service provision and role of media.
“Each episode will be hosted by a team of experienced moderators, gender champions and will include expert panelists and special guests. The first season has 13 episodes, some of the topics include
- What is Gender-Responsive Policy Making and Why Does it Matter?
- Unpacking Harmful Gender Norms and How They Affect Women’s Participation in Public Life
- Water and Sanitation Service Provision (Public Toilets System) in Central Business District Spaces and Shopping Malls.
None the less by promoting gender responsiveness, policies, practices, structures and processes will be enabling for women in their diversity to access information, safe platforms and opportunities which will unlock increased take up of participation and leadership opportunities by women.
“An enabling environment for equality and inclusion will also come to normalcy by creation of a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable future for everyone. WDN-Zimbabwe will release Season two with more interesting topics addressing equality, equity, and gender responsiveness in all aspects,” she noted.