Genderlinks hosts Voice and Choice Zimbabwe Summit

By Wallace Mawire

Gender Links (GL) will on 11 to 13 November, 2024 host the national #VoiceandChoice Zimbabwe Summit in Harare.
The three-day event will revolve around the theme of “Promoting Gender Responsive Governance and Economic Development.”

The summit aims to bring together local authorities, government departments, and civil society organizations from across Zimbabwe to share and highlight best practices in various categories.

The categories include Drivers of Change, Entrepreneurship, Youth Engagement, Gender Responsive Budgeting, Institutional Centres of Excellence, Local Economic Development, and Media, as well as projects addressing critical issues such as Climate Change, Gender-Based Violence, and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

The objectives of the summit are multifaceted and aim to gather substantial evidence through case studies that focus on gender-responsive budgeting, local economic development, media engagement, leadership, youth participation, and institutional practices.

The summit seeks to evaluate the gender progress scores for the Centres of Excellence for Gender in Local Government, assess how local authorities are integrating gender considerations into their budgets, and examine the growth of flagship enterprises and entrepreneurs within the Local Economic Development framework.

The event will foster discussions and reflections on the ongoing gender mainstreaming initiatives in Zimbabwe, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape.

The summit will also feature various awards recognizing outstanding contributions in several areas. The Leadership Award will honour individuals who have effectively championed the SADC Gender Protocol and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at either the local or national level, demonstrating tangible results.

The Institutional Award will acknowledge flagship enterprises and entrepreneurs who are actively implementing programs that promote gender-inclusive local economic development. Lastly, the Projects Award will celebrate initiatives focused on youth participation, climate change, gender-based violence, and sexual reproductive health and rights, as well as the media’s role in advocating for gender balance and neutrality across print, online, and broadcast platforms.

Gender budgeting and Local Economic Development represent a critical focus for the government of Zimbabwe. The upcoming summit is strategically aligned with the National Development Strategy 1, which acts as a comprehensive framework guiding the nation towards the realisation of Vision 2030. This vision aims to establish an empowered upper-middle-income society by the year 2030, emphasising the importance of sustainable economic growth and development.

The summit serves as a platform for gaining essential insights into the “Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery” initiative launched by the government of Zimbabwe in 2023. This initiative transcends clear guidelines, it embodies a collective commitment to ensuring that local authorities provide efficient and equitable services that align with the broader economic objectives.

The summit will feature a series of case studies that highlight the proactive measures taken by local authorities in implementing gender-responsive budgeting, fostering local economic development, encouraging youth participation, and addressing incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within their communities.

The studies will provide a comprehensive overview of the support systems established for survivors of GBV, entrepreneurs, and the financial resources allocated to these initiatives. A critical evaluation of these mechanisms will take place during the summit, emphasizing the importance of these efforts in creating safer and more equitable communities.

The case studies will be instrumental in the annual SADC Gender Protocol Barometer, which serves as a benchmark for assessing governmental compliance with the gender-related provisions stipulated in the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.

The ability of local authorities to effectively allocate budgets for gender initiatives and to promote inclusive local economic development is crucial for the delivery of gender-responsive services.

This, in turn, aligns with the broader objectives outlined in the National Development Strategy 1, which seeks to enhance gender equity and empower marginalised groups.

Since the inception of the Southern Africa Gender Protocol@Work summits in 2012, more than 800 case studies have been showcased, demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing gender equity and responsive governance.

The 2024 summit is set to introduce 198 new best practices, reflecting an increasing dedication to addressing gender disparities and fostering inclusive development. This growing body of work not only highlights the progress made but also underscores the ongoing challenges that local authorities must navigate in their pursuit of gender equality and community empowerment.