Transcript THE PROTOCOL AND DEVELOPMENT IN MALAWI

GENDER AND MEDIA SUMMIT:
BIRCHWOOD HOTEL JOHANNESBURG :
OTOBER: 13, 2010
Presentation By Emma Kaliya-NGO
Gender Coordination Network
(NGOGCN)
INTRODUCTION
• This presentation seeks to highlight the SADC
Protocol dissemination It also tries to focus on
the village workshops conducted in March 2010
and looks at the role of the media and progress
made so far and ends with a conclusion.
Project Objectives
• To provide background on the international and
regional gender instruments with a particular
focus on the SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development.
• To raise awareness on the relevance of the
instruments on the lives of women in the
country and communities, the SADC protocol
on Gender and Development in particular
• To contribute to the creation of a conducive
environment for election of women aspirants in
the forth coming local government elections
through advocacy and lobbying processes
• To mobilize stakeholders support at community
level for women aspiring for the forth coming
local government elections.
Strategies
•
•
•
•
Mapping out exercise
Opinion Leaders meetings
Community meetings
Mass media campaign
Launch of the 50/50 Programme
Cabinet Ministers –MDG Torch
Cross section of Participants at Chikanda
Village, Zomba
Engaging the Media
• The media has been a critical partner in the
implementation of the 50/50 Campaign
• Both Electronic and Print media has been very
active in the promotion of women in Politics
and Decision making
• The role has not just been limited to Politics
and decision making but to GBV, Economic
empowerment, HIV and AIDS
Media Role Cont’
• Most media houses are increasingly becoming a mouth
piece of women as well as gender advocates.
• The media can build if given the correct information at
the same time destroy if given the wrong information.
• Example: close to passing of the Domestic Violence
Bill. Media flagged a very negative story of someone
who called the bill rubbish. Brought us back to square
A
OUTPUTS
• A total of 33 communities mobilized for the
workshops
• 66 Constituency workshops conducted
• 5000 copies of the Protocol Leaflets distributed
• 100 copies of Chichewa Translated /English
versions of the comprehensive SADC Protocol
distributed.
• About 9000 pple reached
Progress
• The Development of 50/50 national programme for the 2009
elections and beyond.(239 Aspiring women Candidates)
• First Woman Vice President
• Comprehensive media coverage on gender matters.
• Parliament moved from 27 women in 2004 to 42 in 2009
women.
• Increased number of female cabinet Ministers to 11 in 2009
• Increased allocation of resources by Development partners to
gender and election related activities.
• Public sector responding positively i.e Police and MDF
• Private sector i.e BP(40% women in Decision making)
General Challenges
• Legal factors: No specific law to support equal
representation except for the provision in the
constitution backed by regional and international
obligations.
• Patriarchy ideologies still very dominant
• Lack of resources to match with the
commercialization of elections.
• Preference for male politians /workers
CHALLENGES TO THE PROTOCOL
• Budgetary Limitations – its implementation
competes with many other issues on budgetary
requirements in a government operating under
severe financial constraints
• Another Gender noise – the Protocol is likely to
be treated like another “gender noise” and face
bureaucratic resistance in its various forms
CHALLENGES TO THE PROTOCOL
• Socialization– Attitudes of both men and women
are rooted in culture which cannot change
overnight
• Religious Beliefs – Issues of gender equality can
be very sensitive religious issues e.g legalizing
abortion
• Pervasive Nature of Imbalances – There are too
many issues to be attended to and each of them
needs a lot of time and resources. Priorities are
difficult to set since the issues are intertwined
Way Forward and Vision
• Ideally, we are looking at a society that appreciates
gender equality and equity as a foundation for
sustainable development. There will be no good
governance if a certain group of society is left behind
• Need to strengthen the Multi-sectoral approach as
stipulated in the National Response Documents in this
regard private sector
• We remain optimistic that we will get there however
there is need to emphasize on a human rights based
approach to programming
• “Nothing about us without us” THE TIME IS NOW
End !
THANK YOU !
ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI !