Southern Africa Development Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC) Gender Cooperation (SADC) Gender

Equality ProtocolEquality Protocol

Presented By Lois Chingandu Executive Director SAfAIDS

On behalf of Southern African Gender Protocol

Alliance

The Road from a Declaration to The Road from a Declaration to a Protocola Protocol

Outline of PresentationOutline of Presentation

Brief Description of Campaign and Brief Description of Campaign and Lobby for a SADC Gender Equality Lobby for a SADC Gender Equality ProtocolProtocol• ContextContext• InitiativeInitiative• LessonsLessons• What Now?What Now?• ActionsActions

ContextContextEfforts to promote gender equality, equity and Efforts to promote gender equality, equity and

women’s rights in Africa has gained momentum women’s rights in Africa has gained momentum over the past 10 years thus setting the stage for over the past 10 years thus setting the stage for the further gains. the further gains.

Yet….2005 was a significant year for several reasons:Yet….2005 was a significant year for several reasons:

It was the 25th anniversary of SADC.It was the 25th anniversary of SADC.

It was the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on It was the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.Women in Beijing.

It was the deadline set in the SADC Declaration on Gender and It was the deadline set in the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development for the achievement of 30 % women in all areas of Development for the achievement of 30 % women in all areas of decision-making.decision-making.

In September, leaders from around the world reviewed progress In September, leaders from around the world reviewed progress towards the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals towards the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) five years after their adoption. (MDGs) five years after their adoption.

Initiative: Campaign for Gender Initiative: Campaign for Gender ProtocolProtocol

AuditAudit• Key FindingsKey Findings• Key RecommendationsKey Recommendations

The single greatest challenge identified in the audit is to move The single greatest challenge identified in the audit is to move the SADC region the SADC region from from an era of commitments to an era an era of commitments to an era of implementationof implementation

The main recommendation arising from the audit was that:The main recommendation arising from the audit was that:

• • Heads of State adopt a Protocol to Accelerate Gender Heads of State adopt a Protocol to Accelerate Gender Equality in SADC: Equality in SADC: This would entail elevating the SADC This would entail elevating the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development into a Protocol, as Declaration on Gender and Development into a Protocol, as contemplated in Article 26 of the Addendum to the contemplated in Article 26 of the Addendum to the Declaration on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence Declaration on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children which makes provision for the Against Women and Children which makes provision for the adoption of legally binding instruments.adoption of legally binding instruments.

Rationale for the ProtocolRationale for the Protocol• • The Protocol breaks new ground globally by The Protocol breaks new ground globally by

incorporating and enhancing all existing incorporating and enhancing all existing commitmentscommitments

• • The Protocol incorporates all existing The Protocol incorporates all existing targets and also sets realistic, achievable targets and also sets realistic, achievable targets where these do not exist:targets where these do not exist:

• • The Protocol is accompanied by an action The Protocol is accompanied by an action planning frameworkplanning framework

Members of the ALLIANCEMembers of the ALLIANCE The SADC Gender Protocol Alliance comprises The SADC Gender Protocol Alliance comprises Botswana Council of NGOs (BOCONGO);Botswana Council of NGOs (BOCONGO); Federation of African Media Women (FAMW) – Federation of African Media Women (FAMW) – SADC; SADC; Gender Links (GL);Gender Links (GL); Gender and Media Southern Africa Network (GEMSA);Gender and Media Southern Africa Network (GEMSA); Justice and Peace (Lesotho); Justice and Peace (Lesotho); Malawi Council of Churches;Malawi Council of Churches; Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA); Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA); NGO Gender Coordination Network Malawi;NGO Gender Coordination Network Malawi; SAFAIDS;SAFAIDS; Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Zambia (SWAAZ); Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Zambia (SWAAZ); Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF); Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF); Women in Law in Southern Africa (WLSA); Women in Law in Southern Africa (WLSA); Women, Land and Water Rights Southern Africa (WLWRSA); Women, Land and Water Rights Southern Africa (WLWRSA); Women in Politics Caucus Botswana; Women in Politics Caucus Botswana; Women’s Leadership Centre Namibia; Women’s Leadership Centre Namibia; Young Women’s Christian Association Botswana (YWCA);Young Women’s Christian Association Botswana (YWCA); Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre (ZWRCN). Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre (ZWRCN).

Key stepsKey steps 2005 Work started with the Audit done by CSOs2005 Work started with the Audit done by CSOs Findings presented in Botswana which gave birth Findings presented in Botswana which gave birth

to the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance to the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance SADC Gender Unit fully involved and driving the SADC Gender Unit fully involved and driving the

processprocess UN systems not openly involvedUN systems not openly involved Donor support was minimal but later increasedDonor support was minimal but later increased August 2005-1August 2005-1stst attempt to have it signed at the attempt to have it signed at the

HOS summit in Botswana- Failed HOS accepted HOS summit in Botswana- Failed HOS accepted the 50% women in decision making but silent on the 50% women in decision making but silent on the protocol.the protocol.

11stst Key Lessons learnt were: Key Lessons learnt were: Go for the big pictureGo for the big picture HOS think narrowly about HOS think narrowly about

gender equality. Most think its gender equality. Most think its about jobs for womenabout jobs for women

Media was key to put the agenda Media was key to put the agenda on the mapon the map

Country consultations were keyCountry consultations were key

22ndnd Step Step

Target the next Summit in 2006 in Target the next Summit in 2006 in ZambiaZambia

Presentations at the round table Presentations at the round table meeting of gender ministers in meeting of gender ministers in Angola Sept 2005 to seek support for Angola Sept 2005 to seek support for protocol. Communique that protocol. Communique that acknowledged the need to do more acknowledged the need to do more in gender and to accelerate any in gender and to accelerate any legislation that will facilitate changelegislation that will facilitate change

Formation of a Regional Protocol Formation of a Regional Protocol Task Force (2 CIVIL SOCIETY, Task Force (2 CIVIL SOCIETY, TROIKA,SADC Gender Unit and TROIKA,SADC Gender Unit and chaired by Lesotho PS for Gender chaired by Lesotho PS for Gender and incoming SADC chairand incoming SADC chair

Draft template of the protocol Draft template of the protocol developeddeveloped

Dec 2005- Regional Consultative Dec 2005- Regional Consultative Conference held to discuss Conference held to discuss templatetemplate

June 2006- Meeting of Protocol June 2006- Meeting of Protocol experts roundtable and Task experts roundtable and Task force to review Zero Draft 1 and force to review Zero Draft 1 and Map out advocacy strategyMap out advocacy strategy

SADC Legal unit joined to advice SADC Legal unit joined to advice on process and languageon process and language

Road map developedRoad map developed Missed 2006 summitMissed 2006 summit

Road Map to 2007Road Map to 2007

Draft FrameworkApril 2006

Zero Draft 1May 2006

Zero Draft 2Aug 2006

Zero draft 3Oct 06

Zero Draft 4March 2007

Zero Draft 5May 2007

1st draftJune 2007

2nd DraftAugust 2007

Adopted and signedAug 2007

22ndnd lesson was the involvement of the lesson was the involvement of the legal unit was key to help us legal unit was key to help us understand how things work in SADCunderstand how things work in SADC

Led us to become more real about Led us to become more real about process and to do it rightprocess and to do it right

July 2006 Regional Protocol Campaign July 2006 Regional Protocol Campaign writing and IT skills workshop by writing and IT skills workshop by GenderlinksGenderlinks

National Consultations began to review National Consultations began to review Zero Draft 1-Zero Draft 2Zero Draft 1-Zero Draft 2

Regional Seminar Officials for Gender Regional Seminar Officials for Gender and Justice Ministries –reviewed Zero and Justice Ministries –reviewed Zero draft 2-3draft 2-3

Ministers of Gender and Senior Officials Ministers of Gender and Senior Officials reviewed Zero draft 3-4reviewed Zero draft 3-4

Ministers of Justice and senior officials Ministers of Justice and senior officials reviewed Zero draft 4-5reviewed Zero draft 4-5

Integrated Council of Ministers reviewed Integrated Council of Ministers reviewed Zero daft 5 which became the First Zero daft 5 which became the First DraftDraft

Council of Ministers reviewed first and Council of Ministers reviewed first and second draft to Head of States Summit.second draft to Head of States Summit.

August 2007- Protocol Rejected at August 2007- Protocol Rejected at the Zambia Summit.the Zambia Summit.

Outcry from Civil SocietyOutcry from Civil Society Draft watered downDraft watered down Back to the drawing board Back to the drawing board Developed the Livingstone Draft Developed the Livingstone Draft

with 19 section instead of the 14 with 19 section instead of the 14 recommendedrecommended

Fresh Lobbying in country and at Fresh Lobbying in country and at regional level focused on the 8 areasregional level focused on the 8 areas

dropped in Zambia through the same dropped in Zambia through the same road map againroad map again

2008 HOS in South Africa- After 7 drafts 2008 HOS in South Africa- After 7 drafts and three years of lobbying the protocol and three years of lobbying the protocol was signed although still opposed and was signed although still opposed and Botswana and MauritiusBotswana and Mauritius

33rdrd Lessons Lessons Policy Change Takes Time and Policy Change Takes Time and

Requires Long-term supportRequires Long-term support Partnerships are Key: Between Partnerships are Key: Between

Civil Society and Government at Civil Society and Government at National and Regional level.National and Regional level.

Staying FocusedStaying Focused Civil Society Leadership is keyCivil Society Leadership is key

ChallengesChallenges

SADC countries are not necessarily at the SADC countries are not necessarily at the same level of understanding of gendersame level of understanding of gender

Country priorities and sensitivities, Country priorities and sensitivities, cultures differcultures differ

The many levels of reviews does not The many levels of reviews does not necessarily make the document better-necessarily make the document better-new people, new thinkingnew people, new thinking

Areas of contention in Zambia Areas of contention in Zambia (terminology can derail and water down a (terminology can derail and water down a good document)good document)

What Now?What Now?

The adoption of the Protocol in The adoption of the Protocol in August 2008, marks the beginning of August 2008, marks the beginning of the most critical processes, namely the most critical processes, namely ratification, implementation and ratification, implementation and monitoring.monitoring.

The Alliance has identified at least 5 The Alliance has identified at least 5 actions that need to take place in the actions that need to take place in the next three yearsnext three years

Role of Civil Society in the Role of Civil Society in the implementation processimplementation process

1.To mobilise for the ratification of the 1.To mobilise for the ratification of the Protocol Protocol

According to the legal requirement, a According to the legal requirement, a Protocol shall come into force upon Protocol shall come into force upon ratification by a two thirds majority of ratification by a two thirds majority of SADC Member States. Only then can it SADC Member States. Only then can it enforceable and Member states shall have enforceable and Member states shall have a legal obligation to comply with the a legal obligation to comply with the commitments as set out. commitments as set out.

ActionAction Alliance members immediately engage with Alliance members immediately engage with

relevant stakeholders in particular the relevant stakeholders in particular the governments in country, to ensure that the governments in country, to ensure that the ratification occurs in record time, in order ratification occurs in record time, in order that implementation effectively begins.that implementation effectively begins.

Alliance members would have to lobby and Alliance members would have to lobby and advocate in country, including political advocate in country, including political engagement with relevant ministries with a engagement with relevant ministries with a view to pushing for ratification of the view to pushing for ratification of the Protocol.Protocol.

2.Raise awareness on the content of 2.Raise awareness on the content of the Protocol at national and the Protocol at national and regional levels regional levels

Use various media and other forums Use various media and other forums to raise awareness on the content to raise awareness on the content of the Protocol. i.eof the Protocol. i.e

news supplements, opinions and news supplements, opinions and commentaries for various media, commentaries for various media, as well as information brochures as well as information brochures and posters. and posters.

3. Strengthen meaningful coordination of the 3. Strengthen meaningful coordination of the Protocol campaignProtocol campaign

Meaningful coordination of Alliance work, is essential if Meaningful coordination of Alliance work, is essential if momentum is to be sustained, remain systematic and momentum is to be sustained, remain systematic and make an impact.make an impact.

Create in country Clusters Create in country Clusters

supported by expert advisors, these clusters will form supported by expert advisors, these clusters will form powerful voices to make input and lobby at relevant powerful voices to make input and lobby at relevant processes, whilst serving as a reference point on the processes, whilst serving as a reference point on the specific thematic issue for the rest of the Alliance members. specific thematic issue for the rest of the Alliance members.

Specifically the clusters shall play a key role in tracking and Specifically the clusters shall play a key role in tracking and monitoring compliance with the Protocol by SADC monitoring compliance with the Protocol by SADC governments, and supporting country processes in terms of governments, and supporting country processes in terms of monitoring and tracking, as well as technical input into monitoring and tracking, as well as technical input into monitoring work at country level. monitoring work at country level.

4. Develop indicators and evaluate progress 4. Develop indicators and evaluate progress towards achieving targets and benchmarks in the towards achieving targets and benchmarks in the

ProtocolProtocol develop indicators for measuring progress develop indicators for measuring progress

in all areas of concern as outlined in the in all areas of concern as outlined in the protocol at country levelprotocol at country level

Alliance members are to take a lead role in Alliance members are to take a lead role in monitoring progress towards compliance monitoring progress towards compliance with the commitments in the Protocol. with the commitments in the Protocol. Through the production of parallel reports Through the production of parallel reports documenting progress, and based on a documenting progress, and based on a clear set of indicators. clear set of indicators.

Produce annual reports in all 14 SADC Produce annual reports in all 14 SADC countries, beginning 2009.countries, beginning 2009.

5.Develop the skills set of Alliance members 5.Develop the skills set of Alliance members to apply for a successful campaignto apply for a successful campaign

Enhancing the knowledge and skills Enhancing the knowledge and skills set of Alliance members to leverage set of Alliance members to leverage the Protocol in their work the Protocol in their work

Use every strategy review/planning Use every strategy review/planning meeting as a training ground for meeting as a training ground for members. members.

6.Document and evaluate the 6.Document and evaluate the campaigncampaign

The Alliance experience of working The Alliance experience of working on the development, adoption and on the development, adoption and implementation of the Protocol implementation of the Protocol provides a good case study for provides a good case study for reference and learning by other reference and learning by other networksnetworks

Produce an audit of progress Produce an audit of progress achieved in 2010. This will be achieved in 2010. This will be five years after the first audit five years after the first audit conducted by NGOs in 2005 that conducted by NGOs in 2005 that is the baselineis the baseline

ConclusionConclusion More attention need to be paid to More attention need to be paid to

countries that were in oppositioncountries that were in opposition Do not loose sight of the processes Do not loose sight of the processes

and strategies we used in the and strategies we used in the lobbyinglobbying

The role of the SADC Gender Unit will The role of the SADC Gender Unit will remain keyremain key

Do not over individualize the Do not over individualize the countriescountries

Thank YouThank You