genderlinks.org.zagenderlinks.org.za/wp-content/uploads/imported/articles/... · Web view2016-09-06 · 2015 SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT AND AWARDS. CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE. LOCAL

2015 SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT AND AWARDS

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCELOCAL GOVERNMENT

INSTITUTIONAL APPLICATIONThis award recognises progress in mainstreaming gender the local government, and Media Centres of Excellence. Use this form to do your institutional profile as part of your application process. The application must be accompanied by evidence to support all application form.

ALL FIELDS ARE COMPULSORY.

THIS PART OF THE APPLICATION WILL BE UPLOADED ONLINE

Name of good practice:Murewa Rural District Council takes on board and raises high the flag of Gender equality

SCORE CARD AND EVIDENCE TABLE

MUREWA RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL ZIMBABWE SCORECARD W.T.SCORE OUT OF FOUR WHERE 0=NONE; 1=POOR; 2=SATISFACTORY; 3=GOOD;

4=VERY GOOD

INDICATORS

MEANS OF VERIFICATION

PROGRESS REPORTED AT SUMMIT

COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

POLICY FRAMEWORK1. There is a

gender policy and action plan that incorporates the SADC Gender Protocol and other relevant targets. It is

Existence of plan

Plan signed and adopted

Plan shared with Council and Community

Plan

Copy of the gender policy/action plan

Copy of the Council strategy/work plan

Minutes and

Council adopted the Gender Action Plan and a Gender Policy. Both the Action Plan and the Gender Policy are being implemented. Council highly considers the Gender Protocol and the Gender Policy incorporates the

3 4

1

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

well known and has a high profile champion within the council.

integrated

Public events on gender eg International Women’s Day

records of meetings

Photos Media

coverage

Gender Protocol. The National Gender policy is also considered in its work on gender.

GOVERNANCERepresentation2. There are

equal numbers of women and men councillors in the Council.

No of men councillors

No of women councillors

Official records

The number of women and men Councillors is not equal. Women are still being encouraged to participate in governance issues through 50/50 campaigns. Out of the 30 Councillors, 25 are men and 5 are women.

1 1

3. There are equal numbers of women and men in decision-making positions in Council, Mayoral committee, chairs of committees etc.

Mayor/Chair of Committee

Deputy mayor/deputy chair of committee

No of committees chaired by women

No of

Official records

The council is comprised of eight committees and a quarter of them is chaired by female Councillors and in one of the committees, a female councillor is the Vice Chairperson. The Council chairperson is a male and the Vice Chairperson is also a male.

1 4

2

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

committees chaired by men

Considering that female councillors are only a fifth of council, the fraction of those on chairing positions is fair. This improvement was effected as a result of a council re-alignment that was a result of council wanting to incorporate women on influential positions. Council could not realign the chairperson and vice because the RDC Act states that those two positions cannot be reshuffled.

Participation4. Women

and men participate equally in Council meetings and influence decisions taken by the Council.

Examples of issues raised by women in Council and what difference these have made.

Council minutes

Both men and women are given equal opportunities to participate during Council meetings. Women raise issues that influence decisions of Council, for example, the issue of coming up with a Gender committee was

2 3

3

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

raised by a woman and it became a resolution that was implemented. Women now have the courage to put up policies. Percentage participation of women in meetings can be estimated to be at 48%, which is a commendable improvement compared to previous meetings.

Public participation 5. There is

equal participation of women and men at public meetings and events.

Examples of types of meetings held, representation/participation by women and men

Photos

Media coverage

Minutes

Women and men both participate equally on public events and meetings. They participate during community dialogues, national functions and campaigns. Both men and women have learnt to respect each other’s opinions and to be confident. Gone are the days when

2 4

4

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

women would ululate and sing during public events. During the 50/50 campaigns held by council from the 11th

to the 13th of March 2015, women would participate with confidence. The total number of people who attended the campaigns is 210 and 138 women attended. The percentage participation of women can be estimated to be at 50%

MAINSTREAMING GENDER INTO EXISTING PROGRAMMES6. The Council

has a local economic development plan that targets women entrepreneurs as key beneficiaries

Market places designed and no of stands allocated to women.

Local finance schemes of council, no of women and men who have benefited

LED plans, how gender reflected

Statistics on finance schemes.

Council resolved and budgeted for the drawing of a Local development Plan in 2015. The exercise is still in progress and during the LDP interviews, both men and women’s opinions on the issue of commercial and industrial area zoning were taken on board. One of the interviews held on 26 January 2015

2 3

5

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

. Local

finance schemes linked to Council, no of women and men who have benefited.

was attended by 39 people, where 12 were women and 27 were men. Amongst the expectations were the issue of creation of commercial zones and industrial site extension. The informal sector indicated that they wanted to sell on designated places therefore there should be a bigger space for the informal sector market.

There are market places, among others, council tuck-shops that were allocated to women entrepreneurs. 3 out of six kiosks were allocated to women entrepreneurs. Market sheds were also designed for vegetable market wholesalers holding a capacity of 30 vendors, where 23 are women. In its 2015 budget, the council has a provision for a new market shed for

6

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

Macheke Township. US$9 500 was budgeted for.

Council is also planning to extend village internal savings schemes to all its wards. The Internal savings are assisting women to get capital for their own businesses.

7. Women and men benefit equally from jobs created by the council.

No of women in jobs created by Councils

No of men in jobs created by councils

Evidence of women and men being employed in non-traditional areas

Council employment statistics by sector and area of work

Both men and women benefit equally from jobs created by the Council. With the emergence of a Gender desk, Council’s job adverts were encouraging women to also apply.

3 3

Procurement8. The Council

keeps gender disaggregated data on procureme

No of owned companies that have received contracts

Procurement policy – how gender is integrated

When advertising a tender, both men and women are given equal opportunities to participate. The

3 3

7

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

nt and has set a target for increasing the number and value of contracts received by women.

in the last year.

No of men owned companies that have rcvd contracts in the last year.

into this. starting point is the composition of the Procurement committee which is comprised of 4 men and 4 women on influential positions.

Council makes use of the State Procurement Board regulations as enshrined in the Procurement Act where SPB registered companies only are considered. Local women owned companies are being encouraged to register with the State Procurement Board.

Climate change and sustainable development 9. The Council

is aware of climate change and its differential effects on women and men. Women and men are consulted

Existence of a policy on climate change how gender is integrated into this.

Extent to which policy has been canvasse

Climate change policy

Records of meetings

Photos/video

Scan from press conference

There is a gender aware climate change policy in Council and it integrates gender and sustainable development. The Policy is being implemented through the Environment department

3 4

8

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

equally on measures to be taken.

d; involvement of women and men.

manned by an officer who preaches the gospel of gender and climate change and the measures to be taken. Council went an extra mile to assist the community on sustainable development and climate change, for example, the Chigori communal coal barn that was constructed and commissioned by council and also the tree planting project. Council is distributing gum seedlings for establishment of plantations in all the 30 wards and also a ‘Greening Murewa centre’ project is in place were Kenyan cotton plans were planted around the CBD.

9

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

10. Women are equally consulted and involved in waste management, and benefit from economic opportunities arising from this.

How waste management is handled.

How women are involved.

Proportion of women in waste projects

Waste management plans

Gender statistics on waste management

Photos; video

Murewa RDC is one of the councils with an EMA approved Landfill. This means healthy communities; mothers do not have the burden of taking children for treatment, therefore they have time to concentrate on productive work. Refuse collection points were also built so that life is made easier for women e.g disposable nappies for children are dumped at refuse collection points for collection by council.Council also resolved for a waste management project and construction of the sorting shed is to commence before the second half of the year

2 3

10

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

therefore waste management plans are in place.There is a refuse collection schedule where refuse is collected thrice a week.

Land and housing 11. The Council

keeps sex disaggregated data on title deeds and housing, and is promoting women’s equal access

How gender is integrated into allocation of land and houses

No of women allocated land and housing by council

No of men allocated land and housing by Council.

Policy on land and housing

The Council’s allocation procedure has no discrimination, i.e. both men and women are considered. The Gender committee recommended to Full Council for a resolution for the Projects and Planning Committee to amend its Stand Allocation Procedure for a provision that states that 50% of the available stands should be reserved for women applicants.

Council has sex disaggregated data in its stand register and the stand application form had a section of sex. In

3 4

11

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

the Projects and Planning Committee number 01 of 2015 held on the 9th of April 2015, 21 women and 26 men were allocated stands.

Water and sanitation 12. Women are

involved in the planning, management and maintenance of water and sanitation.

No of women on water/sanitation committees

No of men on water/sanitation committees

No of women chairing these committees/total no of committees

Examples of the difference women have made

Policy on water and sanitation – how gender is integrated into this

Gender disaggregated statistics

Record of meetings

Photos/video

There is a District Water and Sanitation Committee that is chaired by a woman. The committee is comprised of 10 men and 7 women. A total of six community water and sanitation clubs were formed; Tashinga club- 12 females and 5 males, Murambatsvina club- 4 males and 3 females, Kuguta Kushanda club- 14 females and 6 males, Kushinga club- 40 females and 4males, Kuwirirana club- 30 females and 4 males and

1 4

12

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

Budiriro club with 19 females and 1 male. Kuwirirana, Murambatsvina , Kushinga and Budiriro clubs are chaired by women. This shows that women are fully involved, as a matter of fact, men need to be engaged since they are the ones lagging behind now. Gender issues are integrated into water and sanitation issues.Women are fully involved in the planning, management and maintenance of water and sanitation. Women are making a difference in Murewa; a women drilled a borehole for Mutowani community who were in dire need of clean

13

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

and safe water.

Environmental health13. Women are

equally involved in preventive health campaigns

Types of campaigns

Involvement by women

Records of campaigns

Photos/video

Clean up campaigns are a record in Murewa and women are involved, for example the sanitation for success clean up where 37 women and 28 men from the community participated. During these campaigns preventive measures on environmental health were discussed.

2 3

HIV/AIDS and care work14. The Council

has a gender aware HIV and AIDS policy that is implemented and monitored.

Existence of policy

Messages underscore unequal power relations between women and men;

Prevention of parent to child transmission

Men are encouraged to go

HIV and AIDS policy – gender dimensions

An HIV and AIDS policy is in place and is being implemented.Council in conjunction with Ministry of Health educate the community on prevention of parent to child transmission and also men are being encouraged to go for Voluntary Councelling and Testing and the issue of women

3 4

14

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

for VCT Women

and men have equal access to treatment

and men having equal access to treatment is being addressed.

15. The Council supports care for those living with HIV and AIDS and men are encouraged to be involved in care work.

Existence of care work projects supported by Council or in which Council is a partner.

Remuneration/training/support for care givers in these projects

No of women, no of men involved in care work

Records of projects

Examples of what these have achieved

Photos, videos

The Council works hand in hand with partners implementing HIV and AIDS projects to the extent of budgeting for vulnerable groups targeting those who are HIV positive and orphaned children. School fees were paid for seven orphaned children, the selection was done through Ministry of Primary and Secondary education. Council also assisted five HIV positive people with farming inputs, selection was done through the department of Social Welfare.

2 3

Social development16. Social and

recreational facilities are

Types of facilities for sports and

Records of facilities

Council in conjunction with Ministry of

2 4

15

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

gender aware and responsive

recreation, extent to which these cater to the needs of women and men.

No of women, no of men who make use of facilities

Gender disaggregated data

Women Affairs, National AIDS Council and ZNFPC are in the process of rehabilitating a Drop In Centre with activities designed for both men and women. The centre is mainly for various activities including sport, horticultural projects, library, video screening and counselling services. The Centre is targeting the whole district.The council is also maintaining a sports pitch and is open for both men and women free of charge. In its 2015 budget, Council budgeted for US$5000 for the construction of a stadium (phase 1) which will benefit both men and women.Council assists

16

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

men and women sports clubs, for example Blue Angels netball club and the Murewa Area Zone Football association.

GENDER SPECIFIC PROGRAMMESGender based violence (GBV) flagship plan 17. There is

sufficient lighting on streets and in public spaces; all streets are named clearly, and names are gender aware

Existence of street lights

No of streets named

No of streets named after women

No of streets named after men

Council is working towards attaining a town status by 2018. The requirements of a town include the issue of lighting and this would be a contribution to alleviating GBV cases. The council as of now `managed to erect a tower light in the CBD. US$50 000 was budgeted for installation of street lights and US$20 000 for tower lighting.

The Gender committee recommended for street names that are gender aware to the Planning committee. Most of the streets are named for example,

1 3

17

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

L.Takawira street and Mbuya Nehanda street.

Public awareness campaigns18. The Council

participates in campaigns to raise awareness on gender- based violence (GBV), such as the Sixteen days of activism.

Campaigns launched during the Sixteen Days

Budget from Council for campaigns

Other resources mobilised

Follow up to campaigns

Results achieved

Reports

Photos

Video

Budget

Council in conjunction with the ZRP Victim friendly unit, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs and Department of Child welfare hold GBV campaigns.The Council also participates during sixteen days of activism and in 2014 it contributed financial resources for the Provincial campaign during the sixteen days, the Gender Committee Chairperson was the director of ceremonies during the provincial function.Council has a budget for the campaigns.

2 4

18

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

Murewa was regarded as one of the districts with the highest number of GBV cases in Mashonaland East. This was a result of the campaigns because victims were now reporting cases. Currently the Ministry of women affairs and Victim Friendly Unit confirmed that the rate of GBV cases is reducing, statistics in terms of numbers and percentages are still being worked on by the ministry.

Response and coordination19. There is a

good working relationship between the police and community, especially

How the Council works with the police on GBV

Existence of committees on

Records

Photos

Video

Women are equally represented in community policing forums. Committees on GBV are in place. For GBV issues, women are already on the upfront, they are fully involved

3 4

19

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

women. Women are equally represented in community policing forums.

GBV No of

women and no of men on these committees

compared to men. Men need to be educated.

Council works hand in hand with the Victim Friendly unit of ZRP

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTSelection and recruitment20. Women

and men are employed in equal numbers across jobs, grades and in management positions and are equally remunerated for equal work. There is an affirmative action policy for ensuring 50% by 2015.

No of women in management

No of men in management

CEO/head of administration =M

Examples of women in non traditional areas of decision-maki

Council employment statistics

The Management team of Council i.e. HODs and assistant HODs consists of twelve people. Four of them are women and the rest are men. In 2014, Council had only 2 female management members but now two more women were upgraded to management positions. Council also has a private company operating its SBUs, and the board of directors comprise of both men and women. Out of the eight directors, three are women. The organisation is being gender sensitive and is upgrading women

2 3

20

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

ng eg finance

employees.

Capacity building21. Gender

training is provided for both women and men in the council, at all levels and is done in a systematic way.

Gender training conducted as part of COE’s

Changing lives as a result of gender training

COE reports

Changing lives profiles

Council sent all its committee chairpersons and Heads of departments to attend a Gender workshop in Nyanga for formulation of Actions plans. The workshop was facilitated by Gender Links and it was a learning curve for Heads of departments and Committee chairpersons who went back and spearheaded the issues of gender.

Council in conjunction with Legal Resources foundation held a gender workshop targeting both men and female councillors.

In its budget, council also budgeted for workshops and among the workshops gender workshops are also

1 3

21

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

included. As a result of these workshops, women councillors had a chance to sit and speak out their needs, observations and way forward. They had the courage to stand firm and gain confidence.

Working conditions and environment22. The work

place is family friendly; there is a sexual harassment policy that is enforced.

Maternity and paternity leave

Flexi time Family

days Sexual

harassment policy

How sexual harassment cases are dealt with

Work place policies

A sexual harassment policy is in place.

Council also have a code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment issues.

Council makes use of the Labour Act for maternity leave.

Feeding mothers are given flexi time to go and have time with their babies. They are given 1 and a half hours per day until the baby turns 6 months.

3 4

GENDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMGender structures23. The Council Gender

focal COE and A gender focal 3 4

22

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

has set up a gender structure, including a gender focal person that is empowered to do its work. Gender is written into the job descriptions of key functionaries.

point – who and what level

Gender committee- who and how often does it meet

council records

person is in place and was upgraded to management level so as to influence decisions by executive members. The Gender focal person services the Gender Committee. Council resolved for a gender committee and the committee is just like any other committee of council, i.e it reports to full council so that issues discussed end up being council resolutions. The committee sits quarterly as per the council’s schedule of meetings but when there are urgent issues, the committee makes use of special meetings. The committee is comprised of five policy makers, 3 men and 2 female and the council chairperson as an ex-officio. All ministries and NGOs implementing gender issue attend Gender Committee

23

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

meetings.

Budgets24. A share of

expenditure is explicitly targeted at promoting gender equality. Women and men benefit from the mainstream budget

Specific budget line for gender – what proportion of budget

Gender reflected in mainstream budget

Budget The council has a fully fledged Gender committee budget. The Social Services budget also have vote lines that are gender specific.

2 4

Monitoring and evaluation25. There is an

M and E system in place for gender; it is used for tracing reporting purposes

Regular reports to management on gender action plan.

Corrective action taken.

Score card used for benchmarking.

The Gender Focal Person reports gender issues and weekly planned activities and proposals in Management meetings that are held weekly on Mondays.

Progress is also reported in Gender committee meetings held quarterly to Full Council so that the recommendations are resolved for easy follow-ups. Half year reviews are also held and the Gender

0 3

24

INDICATORS



COUNCIL SCORE 2014

COUNCIL SCORE 2015

JUDGES SCORE 2015

committee chairperson reports progress to Council.

TOTAL 52 86

Please use this section to list the evidence that goes with your score card. Upload evidence on the online application in the section called supporting documentation.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT EVIDENCE UPLOADED – PLEASE RECORD FILE NAMES

Policy framework 1. Murewa RDC Gender policy2. Murewa RDC action plan3. Murewa RDC GBV action plan 4. National gender Policy5. SADC protocol

Governance 1. Sex disaggregated data for Murewa RDC

a. Councillorsb. Committees

2. Photo of council committee chairpersons

Mainstreaming gender into existing programmes

1. LDP letter2. Informal sector photos3. Market sheds photos4. Lease agreements for women entrprenuers5. Ward 25 video- internal savings scheme6. Building inspectors advert

Procurement 1. Procurement Act

2. Procurement Notice

Climate change and sustainable development

Climate change and sustainable development:1. Climate Change Policy2. Communal barns photos3. Communal barn commissioning video clip4. Greening Murewa Project Photos5. Tree seedlings for establishment of plantations

photosLand and Housing:

1. Sex disaggregated data – Stand register2. Sex disaggregated data- Stand allocation list3. Murewa RDC Stand application form4. Gender Committee recommendation on review

Land and housing Water and sanitation Environmental health HIV and AIDS and care work Social development Gender specific projects Gender based violence Others

25


of the stand allocation policy to incorporate gender

Water and Sanitation1. Water and sanitation committees2. Sanitation for success project pamphlet3. Sex disaggregated statistics 4. Involvement of women in water and sanitation

activities- photo and video clip5. Refuse collection points- photos6. Water and sanitation national policy

Environmental Health1. Photos and video clip for clean up campaigns

HIV and AIDS carework1. Murewa RDC HIV and AIDS policy2. Photos – Ministry of Health educating the

community3. Video clip-Ministry of Health educating the

community4. List of vulnerable groups assisted by council

Social Development1. Records of deliberations on Mangwende Drop

In Centre Rehabilitation2. Budget

Gender Based Violence1. Extract of the budget showing allocations for

streets and tower lights2. Tower light in Murewa CBD- photo3. Street Names-Photos4. GBV campaigns reports5. GBV campaigns photos6. Extract of the budget 7. Photos of GBV campaign with ZRP

Employment practices and environment1. Council employment statistics2. Board of directors composition

Employment PracticesSelection and recruitment 1. Employment statisticsCapacity building 1. Gender training reports

2. Women councillors speaking- video

Working conditions and environment

1. Sexual harassment policy

Gender Management System

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Gender structures 1. Gender committee members2. Schedule of meetings

Budgets 1. The Council budget

Monitoring and evaluation 1. Management meetings minutes2. Gender Focal Person report

Resource mobilisation for work on gender equality Amount local currency (specify)

Amount in Rand

Gender specific allocation – please state the names of the projects Gender sensitisation and Integrated planningGender monitoring and evaluationDistrict shows (50% men, 50% women)Women clubs

2 0006 1741 400 500

Gender in mainstream projects (please specify) Youths in performing artsProvincial shows (men and women)

Sports and recreation + Murewa stadium(Phase 1)National Agric show Macheke new market sheddingDrop In CentreJekwa and Musami Irrigation schemesMurewa street and tower lighting Water and sanitation and waste management worksCommunity projectsConstruction of communal coal barns

5001 500

6 800 400 9 500 6505 00070 000600 50039 134 2 000

In kind contributions to the COE process – eg venues (please specify)

Funds raised from donors or the private sector for gender work – (please specify) 50/50 campaign- Gender Links 1 000-00Review of GBV action plan- Gender Links 450-00Caritas Zimbabwe- Water and Sanitation works 3 000 000-00

TOTAL 3 747 908

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THIS WORD DOCUMENT WILL BE UPLOADED TO THE WEBSITE 1. INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE

COUNTRY Zimbabwe COUNCIL Murewa Rural District CouncilGENDER CHAMPION GENDER FOCAL PERSON

Winnet Tambara Chitauro

Baseline score (year) 52%Progress Score (year) 86%Latest score (year) Attitude score –baseline Attitude score – follow up

Women Men Total % Women Council 5 25 30 16,7%Management 4 8 12 33,3%Council staff overall 34 24 10 29,4%Population served 105 338 94 269 199 607 52,8%Key characteristics

SynopsisSum up the situation of the Council – how far has it come, how far has it progressed, what evidence is there of change. If possible begin with an anecdote that demonstrates this change. - 300 words

‘A Gender Committee is not necessary, in fact why should we waste time and resources discussing women issues?’ This is one of the depressing quotes from council male members when the now Gender Champion tried to raise the issue of establishing a Gender Committee. The majority of the men in council regarded gender issues as worthless issues; they assumed gender was all about women. They had limited knowledge on how council was to benefit from gender mainstreaming. However little did they know that council was actually mainstreaming gender in some of its projects but needed to learn more on how to go about it.

Council had no platform where gender issues would be discussed and mobilised. This was difficult because the majority did not get the picture of the issue. Most, if not all of the council policies were gender insensitive and there was no gender policy in council. Most of council committees were male dominated including the management and the SBU board. Council did not take seriously the issue of maintaining sex disaggregated data. The COE programme brought about change in council. As a result of the training held with Heads of departments, Council Chairperson and Committee Chairpersons, a gender committee was formulated and the committee is just like any other committee of council since recommendations are forwarded to full council for them to become resolutions. This is effective because a council resolution is regarded as a council policy and should be implemented accordingly. Gender issues are discussed in this committee and the committee is comprised of councillors and various stakeholders implementing gender issues. Men now have a positive attitude towards gender issues and men in the management committee are supportive of the issues. The council has become a bona fide centre of excellence as far as gender mainstreaming is concerned.

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Key objectivesPlease state the key gender mainstreaming objectives of the COE – 300 words

1. Gender budgeting

First and foremost, Council has to sit and plan. Part of planning includes the issue of budgeting. Budget preparations for the following year are conducted towards the end of the current year, for example, 2015 budget estimates preparations started in August 2014. The community is consulted on the 2015 estimates and both men and women attend these budget consultation meetings. They both give their inputs and council ensures that the budget is gender responsive and projects budgeted for should mainstream gender.

2. Gender equality The issue of gender equality is a main objective of council. Council ensures that there is gender balance between men and women as far as service delivery is concerned. Both men and women should benefit equally from the services from Council. For example, both men and women were allocated industrial shells that were built by council and are both considered on stands allocation.

3. Gender sensitive policies The Gender committee of council recommended that all council policies should be gender sensitive. This recommendation is to be forwarded Full Council for a resolution and all committees will be forced to implement the council resolution. Council policies in place include; 1. Loan policy2. Gender policy3. Stand allocation policy4. Transport policy5. Housing Policy6. Staff Development Policy7. Recruitment Policy8. Investment Policy

The objective is to ensure that the policies are gender sensitive.

4. Mainstreaming gender in council projects

When embarking into projects, council’s objective is to ensure that there is gender mainstreaming. Both men and women should not be disadvantaged as far as any council project is concerned. Council has

29

to look at how the project is affecting men, women, boys, girls, the elderly and the disabled.

Background

Give some background - What was the situation before the intervention? Include evidence from leaders within the institution, and those served by the institution – 300 words

There was no Gender committee in council and no one ever spoke of gender mainstreaming. Women as the formerly privileged group were lagging behind especially on decision making. Most of the women councillors did not even want to take challenging positions like being committee chairpersons; they thought men were the right persons for those positions. They lacked confidence because they were not aware of the thing called gender and governance. Men dominated in meetings and passed resolutions that would benefit them without considering other groups. With the intervention of the COE programme, councillors; both men and women learnt about equal representation and the women gained confidence and were willing to take up positions. They even influenced decision making in full council meetings. Before the COE programme, Council would just plan and implement programmes without mainstreaming gender. For instance a new cemetery was established in Macheke and a shed and ablution facilities were put in place, no gender mainstreaming was done because the toilets were not designed for men, there is no urinary like any other men toilets, this makes life difficult for men who visit the cemetery therefore most of the men abandon the toilets and make use of the bush since they feel the bush is better than the toilet.

Since there was no one to influence gender sensitivity in policy making, council would just put policies that were not gender sensitive. The formerly disadvantaged group i.e. the women were not being considered especially on land allocation. There was no sex disaggregated data to show the number of men or women benefiting from council projects or services therefore the majority of women did not benefit from the projects. Murewa Rural District council has become a true and effective centre of excellence as a result of the intervention.

Key activities

Please list at least five in bullet form – 500 words

Greening Murewa- Establishment of plantationsCouncil has embarked into a project of greening Murewa. The main objective here is to address the issue of climate change. There were no trees in the CBD therefore council planted trees around the CBD and the trees are maintained by both council and the community. Council is also donating trees to each and every ward for establishment of plantations.

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Bush ClearanceCouncil engaged the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional services for bush clearance, that is, clearance of noxious weeds like lantana camara. The main objective is to try and reduce Gender Based Violence. If the Growth Point is clear, one will attempt to rape anyone. There were thick bushes in Murewa Growth Point and cases of robbery and rape were the talk of the town but now council is on the move by engaging into bush clearance.Council went on an extra mile to procure tool kits for all the 30 Wards in the district. These ward tool kits are for the community to take on board bush clearance projects. The tools included a machete, an axe, a hoe, a shovel and a wheel barrow.

Coal Barns ConstructionCouncil is constructing community coal barns. Two were commissioned so far in Wards 20 and 24. This is being done so as to stop the use of firewood for treating tobacco. This will result in reduction of rampant cutting down of trees. Every tobacco farmer is being encouraged to build his or her own coal barn. The issue has a bearing on climate change.

Mangwende Drop In Centre rehabilitationMangwende Drop In Centre is a Council youth centre were youths access various activities like voluntary counselling and testing, sporting activities, research through reading of library books, horticulture training, video screening among other activities. The centre is for both sexes and is being rehabilitated by Council. Council courted with National AIDS Council, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Women Affairs to rehabilitate this project.

Provision of land for institutional developmentCouncil is providing land for the establishment of Police Base stations in rural service centres. So far council provided land for the construction of Madamombe Base Station which is still under construction. This is a way of reducing GBV issues and also it will be easy for cases to be reported on time- the referral pathway. Madamombe is one of the Rural Service centre that is far away from the central police station in Murewa. Council also provided land for the construction of a BSPZ (Better Schools Programme in Zimbabwe). The institution was commissioned in 2014 and a certificate was awarded to council for the contribution. The institution will benefit the whole district and both boy and girl children for generations and generations to come.

Tower and street lighting projectsCouncil budgeted for tower and street lights so as to improve lighting in the Growth Points. This will address the issue of Gender Based Violence.

Borehole drilling and maintenance projects

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Council offered to provide transport and T and S to DDF for maintenance and rehabilitation of boreholes in the district. Boreholes are being maintained for the provision of clean and safe water to the community. This makes life easier for both men and women. Women and girls need not to travel long distances to fetch water resulting in reduced school drop outs for the girl child and prevailing sanitation.

Internal Saving schemesThere are internal savings schemes in Murewa District and a massive one in Ward 25. The community was trained on internal saving and groups comprising men and women were trained and in 2014 they saved money for procurement of farming inputs, i.e. seed and fertiliser. They also procured building construction material like cement and roofing material. They also bought groceries for their families. These schemes contribute to the reduction of poverty since beneficiaries have enough money for food and for children school fees and uniforms. The community testified that they now have enough money to pay for development levies to council therefore the schemes have also contributed to community development.

Business management trainingBusiness Management trainings are being conducted for women owned businesses. Trainings are being done to those who are already in business so that they know how to manage their businesses for sustainability.

Rehabilitation of Irrigation schemesCouncil is in the process of rehabilitating irrigation schemes. As of now, Musami Irrigation scheme is being rehabilitated. Both men and women are benefiting from the programme.

Greenhouse construction and tomato productionA greenhouse construction project is being conducted and council is a main stakeholder.

Resource allocations Please put a summary here from the information uploaded

Local currency (US$)

Rands

Council allocations to gender-specific projects

10 074

Council allocations to gender in mainstream projects

735 984

In –kind support to the COE process 2 120

Challenges

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What have been the main challenges? How have these been overcome? 300 words

Challenge How the challenge was overcome1. Scarce of resources-

The main challenge was scarcity of financial resource. Even though the projects or activities would have been budgeted for, the funds had to be mobilised for. Erratic cash inflows sometimes hindered progress or delayed implementation of some projects, for example tower and street lighting.

- Intensive revenue mobilisation was conducted and also other sources of funding were identified.

2. Lack of understanding by some community members-Some members failed to understand why council was taking on board gender issues. They did not understand that service provision should be hand in glove with gender mainstreaming. The challenge was that men wanted to dominate in projects committees, they did not want to include women or to incorporate a reasonable representation of women in their committees

- Communities were sensitized on the importance of equal representation of men and women in all institutions. They came to realise that gender mainstreaming was part of council and should be taken on board by council.

3. Unreported GBV Cases-Challenges were faced due to individuals (victims) who barely reported GBV cases. They withheld information thinking that they will be saving their marriages, their abusers continued to abuse them and in the end they commit suicide or murder. Such cases took place in Murewa district and this was a bid challenge to the district.

- Sensitisation meetings and community dialogues were conducted especially in those areas were GBV cases were high, i.e. Nheweyembwa area. The issue of referral pathways was emphasized and the meetings were held in conjunction with various stakeholders, it was an all-stakeholder’s approach. The 2014 Provincial 16 days campaign was held in Murewa- Nheweyembwa area in a bid to minimise GBV issues.

Results (Please fill in what is relevant to your COE)

Women’s empowerment How have women been empowered as a result of the COE work? – 200 words

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At Murewa Rural District Council, we believe that if you empower women, you would have empowered the nation therefore the issue of women empowerment is prioritised. Council allocated its kiosks to women as a way of empowering them. These women now own their own businesses; they sell various items like groceries and clothes to earn their living.Council also empowered women by allocating them industrial shells at the industrial site. As a way of empowering women, council resuscitated an irrigation scheme with women beneficiaries for sustainable development. Women would engage into horticultural production. Women were also being trained on business management. Most women are entrepreneurs, e.g. vendors, but they lack that expertise of managing their small businesses. Council in conjunction with FACE Zimbabwe provided basic training on how to manage a successful business groups were formed and they are being financed.Training was also provided on internal saving schemes. There is a vast program on internal savings in Ward 25 were women are benefiting from the scheme. They are now able to pay fees for their children, to buy farming inputs and to build their own houses through the internal savings scheme. This empowerment reduces poverty, Gender Based violence and prostitution.Women and youths are also into tomato processing. This project is being done in conjunction with ILO, Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Youth. The project is contributing to the ZIMASSET cluster, value addition and beneficiation.

Evidence Please provide at least one quote from a woman beneficiary to support your statement on women’s empowerment. Please remember name, surname and designation.- 100 words

Quote from an internal saving scheme beneficiary:Name: EuniceSurname: Muchenagumbo 0771759065Designation: Internal saving and lending scheme member- Ward 25

‘As a beneficiary of the internal saving and lending scheme, i feel empowered because this programme has changed our lives as women in Ward 25. We now have money to spent and contribute to household earnings. I am now able to buy inputs for farming and building materials. Before the scheme, as women I used to get money from my husband and sometimes I had to fight to get the money, but now I have my own money and the issue of fighting is no longer a case in my house. My children are going to school because i have the money to pay for school fees. I am empowered as a woman because i even financed poultry, tailoring and gardening projects using the money i am getting from the internal saving and lending schemes. My business is viable and is growing. My life has completely changed and the issue of poverty is now history.’

Men for change Have men become more supportive of gender equality as a result of the COE work? Please give examples – 300 words

The Gender committee of council is comprised of 2 lady councillors and three men. These are policy makers and the proportion of men is higher than that of woman. Gender equality is moving on a good note as a result of this committee

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despite the fact that men have the highest number, they try by all means to promote the issue of gender equality. This clearly shows that men have become more supportive of gender equality as a result of COE work. The council chairperson as a man is supportive of gender issues and even accompanied the Gender Focal Person and the Gender champion to Zvimba RDC for a study visit. The Council chairperson is always present, he also accompanied the Gender committee chair and focal person to Ward 25 to see how the Internal saving groups were progressing. He was also part of the 50/50 campaign and during the campaigns he urged community members to appreciate gender issues especially gender equality. This was effective because when gender issues are being taken on boars by a man, a respected public figure, other men will appreciate. The council chairperson has become a role model as far as gender equality is concerned.

Evidence Please provide at least one quote from a man involved in the COE process to support your statement on the improvement of service delivery. Please remember name, surname and designation - 100 words

Quote from the Council Chairperson

First Name: Shephard Surname: FemayiDesignation: Council Chairperson

‘’As council we are taking on board the issue of gender equality and we have to ensure that there is gender equality on service delivery. It is important for council to ensure that all its citizens i.e. men and women, boys and girls, the elderly, the disabled get benefit equally from the services provided by the organisation. That is the reason why as council we agreed and in my personal capacity supported the issue of coming up with a standalone committee that will spearhead gender issues in council. This will definitely contribute to the issue of gender equality in all services of council because this gender committee will have to monitor and evaluated and recommend to council issues to do with gender equality. We do not want a situation where a certain group is disadvantaged in terms of service delivery. There is great improvement in terms of service delivery where council is taken on board and addressing climate change issues by building coal barns, council has engaged into bush clearance activities and went an extra mile of buying bush clearance ward tool kits for all wards, refuse is being collected regularly in residential areas, Council has also allocated industrial factory shells to both men and women. Service delivery has improved and the issue of gender equality is being highly considered. The COE process/work is vital.’’

Changes at household levelHas the work of the COE resulted in changes in power relations at the household level? Please give a few examples – 300 words.

Quite a number of households in Murewa have women who are not employed; their husbands are the ones who go to work. The community did not

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understand what it means when a wife is staying at home and the man going to work every day. Some of the men took it that their wives were lazy and did nothing to provide for the family, they regarded their wives as useless persons. Thanks to COE work which brought about the knowledge that both the employed husband and the unemployed wife are all working and providing for the family, it is only that the man is doing paid work and the wife is doing unpaid work. This is so because the woman works up very early in the morning to prepare food and bathing water for the husband to go to work, she ensures that the clothes are clean and ironed and off to work the husband goes. The wife is left behind with the children and ensures that the school going children go to school with food in their lunchboxes and with clean uniforms and that homework has been done perfectly. When the children go to school, the wife is left home with the toddler who needs close monitoring all day and the general cleaning of the house and preparation of lunch for everyone. The wife is ever working and when everyone is back home, she prepares supper and then everyone goes to bed, she is still up ensuring that everything is in order. Men were taught that their wives are important as far as looking after the family is concerned. They now respect their wives and give them their positions as their wives. No one should have power over the other but they should respect each other, the men now know.

Evidence Please provide evidence of changes at household level through at least one quote from a community member. Please remember name, surname, organisation and designation. 100 words

Quote from Mr Chamunorwa Chipendo, council employee

I am employed as a debt collector by council and my work needs someone who is committed and patient because i came across people of different characters when following up on council revenue. My wife is not employed but she does all the domestic work. I only came to realise this after learning that everyone is important in the house. I thought my wife was useless because she did not go to work, I thought I had all the powers and could do whatever i want because i earned money and she did not. I did not give her the chance to do some planning since she was the mother of the house, i would impose everything and I used to beat her for no apparent reason. She then went to her parents’ home because she was fed up. Through the COE work, i learnt that we were equally important. I had to wash, cook, iron and do all the other chores. This was hard for me and i had to definitely get her back home. Thanks to COE work. (a RECORDING IS AVAILABLE ON CD)

Changes in attitudesAre attitudes in the community changing as a result of the COE work. Please provide at least one example. 200 words

The COE work is bringing about change in attitudes in the community. As mentioned before the community regarded gender issues as petty issues.

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Murewa is a rural community and the community respects its norms and values very well for example, ‘women should be submissive‘, As a result of this, the community used to have a negative attitude towards gender issues, they regarded gender teachings as having the objective of teaching women not to respect their husbands or values. The issue of 50/50 representation in all institutions was misinterpreted by others. With time the community learnt to know that gender equality was about non discrimination to gender. They learnt that norms and values varied from one society to the other therefore gender equality issues can be taken on board and at the same time respecting the norms and values of the community.

Evidence Please provide at least one quote that demonstrates changes in attitudes. Please remember name, surname, organisation and designation. – 100 words

Quotation from Enara Zunzanyika, community member

I am one of those who regarded the COE work as a program that came to destroy our marriages. From our culture, we learnt that we should respect our husbands and even the bible tells us to be submissive to our husbands. We wondered what the COE was all about and i thought to myself, “i am probably not going to listen to any teaching, gender is all about equal rights and to teach women to disrespect their husband, i will not involve myself in any way” Then one day, I was tempted to go through the Gender SADC protocol and i realised that i was wrong. The document talked about equal access to services and it empowered us as women, not to disrespect our husbands as such. From there onwards, my attitude changed, i am now on the upfront as far as gender issues are concerned. (a recording is available on CD)

Changes at the work placeWhat changes have taken place at the work place as a result of the COE work. Please give examples. 300 words

The workplace has totally changed due to COE work. To begin with the issue of ICT development was as a result of COE work. Council had no internet connections but after learning that it was important to adapt to ICT, WIFI was installed and all employees were connected. Council went a step further to establish a mini library/information centre where councillors and staff can do some research work, all councillors now have email addresses. As a role model, the Gender Focal Person started communicating via mail with the Gender committee chairperson (meeting agenda preparations, sending documents etc) and all other HODs followed suit.As for the issue of going green as a council, tabs were procured for all management members so that all documents for management members, i.e minutes, agendas, and circulars can be sent online instead of printing. The issue of communication is no longer a concern within the organisation, thanks to COE work. The council is empowering female employees and two were upgraded to management positions in a bid to increase the number of women on decision making positions.

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Evidence Please provide evidence of these changes through at least one quote from a Council functionary. Please remember name, surname, organisation and designation. 100 words

Quote from Viola Chinyamakobvu, Council Accountant

My name is Viola Chinyamakobvu, i was employed as a data capturing clerk by Murewa Rural District Council in 2003. I developed myself by studying a diploma in accountancy since i was working within the Finance department. I completed my studies in 2011 but i was still the data capturer. When the COE program came into our council, i thought it was wastage of time not knowing that it would bring about positive changes into our organisation. There were only two management members in council but when COE came, i am one of the female employees who were upgraded to management level as an Accountant. I am also one of the management members who got tablets for ease of communication. Generally, there is order in Council, i am sure it is because of this programme. Everyone seems to be organised because the issue of paperwork has reduced, we now use email for communication. Service delivery has also improved, there is gender mainstreaming in services provided. (A recording is available on CD)

Service delivery How has the quality of service delivery improved as a result of the COE work– 500 words

Service delivery has improved as a result of COE work. Before COE work council would provide services without analysing gender issues. Currently council is ensuring that services benefit both men and women in the community are consulted first. Council used to make use of the Top down approach which resulted in the community not utilising the facilities, for example, the market sheds that were put by council were abandoned because there was no consultation. As for now council is making use of the bottom-up approach resulting in the needs of men and women being met.

For example, the waste management project will create employment for both men and women; the community coal barn project will also benefit both men and women. Both men and women will also benefit from the refuse collection points project, where both men and women will deposit refuse at the various points and council will remove refuse from those points. Council is also assisting with farming inputs and beneficiaries are the elderly.Council is collecting refuse on a regular basis i.e. three times a week and attending to sewer blockages within 24 hours. General cleaning is being done everyday, Murewa Growth Point is one of the cleanest centres in the Province. Council also provided land for the construction of a BSPZ (Better Schools Programme in Zimbabwe). The institution was commissioned in 2014 and a certificate was awarded to council for the service delivery. The institution will benefit the whole district and both the boy and the girl child for generations and generations to come.

Council was also given social services awards during the 2014 Trade Fair meaning that there is improvement on service delivery as a result of COE work.

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Evidence Please provide at least three quotes from beneficiaries to support your statements on the improvement of service delivery. Please remember name, surname and designation- 150 words

Quote from Sharon Ganyaupfu, resident, 2015

We are pleased with the services being offered by council. The general cleanliness of the growth point is highly commendable. There are no longer refuse deposits everywhere, council is removing refuse almost on a daily basis. There is no sewage flowing around because council urgently attends to blockages. I am also glad that there is now water at the new high density suburb (Magamba High density), for years, there was no water but council recently reticulated the place and as we speak the Magamba high density extension is being water reticulated. All the roads are passable, we really appreciate. Quote from Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Mr Makunzva, Acting DEO)

On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to express my profound gratitude towards the contribution by council. Council gave space for the construction of the Better Schools Program in Zimbabwe offices and the office was commissioned by the Minister recently. This contribution in terms of service delivery has shown an improvement since the COE work commenced in council and will go a long way in improving education services to the Murewa community. (Copy of certificate from Ministry of Primary and Secondary education)

Quote from Community barns beneficiary (A Gutu, Councillor)

Service delivery has improved because the community was in need of a coal barn but there was no one to assist. This service will go a long way to address the issue of climate change.

Public participationHow have you involved the community in the COE work? What impact has this had? 200 words

Yes, the community is being involved in COE work. Communities have been mobilised so as to come up with Gender clubs. Through the assistance by Ministry of Women Affairs, there are Gender clubs in all wards. These clubs oversee the issue of gender mainstreaming in the Ward. All services provided in the Ward should mainstream gender; any ward based structure should be gender sensitive. This has fuelled the issue of gender equality in the ward and has caused unity amongst committee members. Community leaders were encouraged to disseminate the issue of gender equality to the community therefore community leaders like the Chief, Headmen and Village Heads make use of their meetings to address gender issues to the community.

Involving the community has a great positive impact because in most cases, villagers pay attention or give a listening ear to their traditional leaders more

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than anyone else, in other words, they trust their traditional leaders therefore it becomes easy for them to respect the issues of gender when they are addressed by their own leaders.

Evidence Please provide evidence of community involvement through at least one quote from a community leader. Please remember name, surname, organisation and designation - 100 words

Quote from Headman Mushaninga

As the Headman of Mushaninga traditional Ward, i would like to confirm that the community is fully involved in gender issues. As traditional leaders, we have to be role models so that our communities will follow. My ward is one in Murewa district with a scheme that is empowering women through the Internal saving and lending scheme. Most of the community members are involved. Council is supporting this scheme and as the Headman i would like to appreciate it. (CD available)

Outreach through the media How do you engage with the media to popularise the SADC Gender Protocol and the work on gender equality? 150 words

When conducting outreach programmes where gender issues are discussed, the Gender Focal person takes that opportunity to disseminate information about the gender protocol and video recording will be taking place. Council bought an LED television set for its reception and the CEO’s office and most of its clients wait to be served at the reception. The CD’s with the SADC Gender Protocol messages are played on the reception television and are watched by clients and stakeholders from various sectors and places in and outside Murewa. There is internet access at the council premises and a video with Gender Protocol messages was also uploaded on You Tube and put on Council’s website.

Evidence A DVD on the SADC Protocol information, Uploaded video on You tube. (Gender proptocol at work, Murewa RDC)

Changes at a policy level that have come about as a result of the COE workPlease use this space to note any changes that have come about at a policy level as a result of the COE work. – 300 words

Quite a number of changes have been noted as a result of COE work. These are as listed below;

a) Formation of a Gender CommitteeCOE work has resulted in the formation of a gender committee. Council saw it vital to form a committee of council that oversees gender issues in Council. The issue of coming up with a Gender committee was finalised at policy level.

b) Amendment of council policies

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There is a council recommendation that stipulates that all council policies should be gender sensitive. This was proposed by Councillor Chimuteka and Seconded by Alderman Gutu, policy makers in the Gender Committee. This recommendation is to be forwarded to the second Full council of 2015 for a council resolution.

c) Establishment of an Information CentreCouncil established a mini library meant for its policy makers and staff. In that library there are various research books and a computer that is connected to the internet. This was done to provide room for councillors to be able to access the internet. Councillors now have email addresses and are now able to research on internet. This is a result of COE work on ICT development and trying to achieve the objective of going green as an organisation. This also follows the procurement of tablets for all management members for communication purposes.

Evidence Please provide evidence of these changes. – 100 words

Full council Minutes

Gender Committee minutes on amendment of council policies

Information Centre photos/

Any other changes that have come about as a result of the COE workPlease use this space to note any other changes that have come about as a result of the COE work.

Council management are now gender sensitive, i.e. they incorporate the issue of gender whenever they address staff or when producing reports. When going out or in the field where they feel gender issues should be addressed or that the projects or issues they would want to attend to have something on gender, they take along the Gender Focal person. Everyone in Council is now putting on gender spectacles and this is a result of COE work. Before that, employees were gender insensitive and took gender issues for granted. All HODs are supportive and they attend Gender committee meetings.

Evidence

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Part of the council’s management team and Council chairperson, posing for a photo during the 2014 retreat where Gender issues were also discussed.

Lesson learned and innovation What lessons have been learned in the COE process? How are these being applied? 300 words

Lessons learnt and Application 1. We learnt that there should be buy in from council for the COE work to

succeed.Application:We engaged Gender links and Priscilla came to assist us to explain to council and we got buy in.

2. We learnt that provisions in the SADC protocol on Gender should be known by the communityApplication: -Whenever we attend a gathering, we preach the SADC gender protocol-We attended an inception workshop held in Inynga- Mont Clair Hotel and also formulated our Action Plan i.e stages 4 and 5 of the COE process. We also learnt the gender concepts e.g. the difference between gender and sex and also the issues of GBV AND HIV and AIDS.

The community is being sensitized

3. As council we also learnt about IT for advocay i.e. IT skills

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Application: As council we installed WIFI and we are now and a website was opened - (www.murewardc.ac.zw). Our Councillors now have email addresses

Learning and sharing with other councilsHow have you learned from and shared with other Councils involved in the COE process? Please be specific – give names of the Councils, where and how you met and shared.

Yes, as Murewa Rural District council we learned and shared with other councils involved in the COE process. The Gender champion, Gender Focal Person and the Council Chairperson visited Zvimba Rural District Council, one of the award winning councils. Our visit was conducted in October 2014. We first contacted the CEO who welcomed our request and we booked for an appointment. On the day of the visit, we had a meeting with Mrs Tsuro (Executive Officer Social Services) who was representing the Gender Focal Person who was on sick leave, the Women Affairs District Officer and the CEO Mr Siyamayambo.We wanted to learn how the Council came to be one of the award winning local authorities and to learn how they coordinate their programmes and how the gender committee was operating. That is when we learnt that Zvimba had a Gender Committee that reported directly to Full Council and had a standalone budget. We also learnt that council worked hand in hand with Ministry of Women Affairs. We took on board the good works of Zvimba and implemented them in our Council and we became the second council to have a Gender committee that is just like any other committee of council and with a standalone budget.

Evidence Please provide evidence of this engagement, for example a quote from a Councillor in another COE.- 100 words

Quote from Mrs Tsuro- Social Services Officer- Zvimba RDC (standing in for the GFP)

We welcome you to our council and we hope we are going to change notes on various aspects. We have a fully fledged gender committee and stand alone budget and this assists council to take gender committee recommendations seriously because they become resolutions. We also work hand in hand with Ministry of Women affairs and gender because they are now a step ahead as far as gender issues are concerned. We urge you as Murewa RDC to also do the same.

Sustainability and replication How can the COE work be sustained within your organisation?

The COE work can be sustained by maintaining the Gender committee as a committee of council and scheduling its meetings just like any other committee and having its stand alone budget. There is need for council to allocate more funds to this committee so that it is able to meet all its obligations without any hassles. This committee will also be able to spearhead gender issues in all corners of the organisation and the COE work will be sustainable. There is also need for a mixed membership, i.e to incorporate both men and women. Men should be on the upfront on gender issues. The Gender committee should ensure that

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recommendations are forwarded to Full Council for resolutions so that they are taken seriously. There is also need for council to work hand in glove with ministries and NGOs implementing gender issues.

How can the COE work be cascaded to other Councils? How can your Council contribute to the cascading process?

Council can invite its sister councils to come and see how the COE work is being conducted and exchange notes. This way the COE work can be cascaded to other councils. The Gender champion and the gender Focal Person should work with other councils giving them a highlight of how to go about COE work.Council can also lobby the Association of Rural District councils to include the COE issue on its forum agenda, e.g. CEO’s forum, Treasurers forum, Engineer’s forums. ZILGA conferences and HR winter schools.Councils can also publish their COE work through media, e.g. ZTV.

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Documents

genderlinks.org.zagenderlinks.org.za/wp-content/uploads/imported/articles/... · Web view2016-09-06 · 2015 SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT AND AWARDS. CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE. LOCAL