PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON THE SADC PROTOCOL ON GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT

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PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN,
YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON
THE SADC PROTOCOL ON GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT
22 JUNE 2011
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INTRODUCTION

• The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development was
  adopted by SADC Heads of State on 17 August 2008
  in Sandton, Gauteng
• Encompasses commitments made in all regional,
  global and continental instruments for achieving
  gender equality
• Enhances these instruments by addressing gaps and
  setting specific, measurable targets where these
  do not already exist
• Advances gender equality by ensuring
  accountability by all SADC Member States
• Provides a forum for the sharing of best
  practices, peer support and review.

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Significance of the Protocol

• It has elevated the 1997 SADC Heads of State and
  Governments Declaration on Gender and
  Development to the most binding of the regional
  organizations instruments.
• It has 28 substantive targets for achieving
  gender equality by 2015.
• It is a global first, and places SADC at the
  cutting edge of innovative strategies for giving
  global and continental commitments meaning at the
  sub-regional level.
• As a SADC legal instrument, it lays the basis for
  mainstreaming gender in all other SADC Protocols
  and policies, thereby making it central to the
  agenda of achieving regional integration,
  development and democracy.
• It has clear and comprehensive institutional
  mechanisms for ME, thereby ensuring
  accountability by SADC member states.

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History

• In August 2005, the SADC Heads of State and
  Government during their Summit, mandated the SADC
  Secretariat to draft a protocol on gender and
  development.
• A roadmap was developed and through a strong
  partnership between governments and civil society
  organizations in the sub-region, the protocol was
  drafted and after many struggles was finally
  adopted in 2008.

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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 1-3 PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES ARTICLES 1-3 PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES
These cover definitions general principles and objectives. The Protocol aims to bring together existing commitments enhance these through specific timeframes create effective mechanisms for implementation sharing of best practices and deepening regional integration.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 4-8 CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS ARTICLES 4-8 CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS
This provides for all Constitutions in the region to enshrine gender equality and give such provisions primacy over customary law. All laws that are discriminatory to women are to be repealed. It also provides for equality in accessing justice, marriage and family rights and the rights of widows, elderly women, and the girl child, women with disabilities and other socially excluded groups. Endeavour to enshrine gender equality and equity in their Constitutions and ensure that these are not comprised by any provisions, laws or practices. Review, amend and / or repeal all discriminatory laws. Abolish the minority status of women.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 9 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARTICLE 9 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
This article provides that persons with disabilities must have their health, welfare and other rights promoted and protected, through enacting or reviewing laws and other measures. Take into account vulnerabilities and abuse of people with disabilities, including in the workplace
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 10 WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS RIGHTS ARTICLE 10 WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS RIGHTS
Laws must be strengthened or put in place to make sure that widows and widowers are not badly treated, and unless if a court decides, widows automatically have guardianship and custody of their children, have the right to continue to live in the marriage home, and an equitable share in inheriting from their late husband. A widow shall also have the right to remarry a person of her choice and protection from all forms of violence. These rights also apply to widowers.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 11 THE GIRL AND BOY CHILD ARTICLE 11 THE GIRL AND BOY CHILD
Policies, programmes and laws must be in place to ensure the protection and development of both the boy and girl child, including eliminating all forms of discrimination in the family, community, institutions and government. Harmful cultural attitudes and practices must be eliminated, including violence and economic exploitation, and there should be equal access to education and health.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 12-13 GOVERNANCE (REPRESENTATION AND PARTICIPATION) ARTICLES 12-13 GOVERNANCE (REPRESENTATION AND PARTICIPATION)
This article provides for the equal representation of women in all areas of decision-making, both public and private and suggests that this target be achieved through Constitutional and other legislative provisions, including affirmative action. It further stipulates that Member States should adopt specific legislative measures and other strategies, policies and programmes to ensure that women participate effectively in electoral processes and decision-making by, amongst others, building capacity, providing support and establishing and strengthening structures to enhance gender mainstreaming. Endeavour to ensure that 50 of decision-making positions in all public and private sectors are held by women including through the use of affirmative action measures.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 14 EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARTICLE 14 EDUCATION AND TRAINING
This article provides for equal access to quality education and training for women and men, as well as their retention at all levels of education. It further provides for challenging stereotypes in education and eradicating gender-based violence in educational institutions. Enact laws that promote equal access to and retention in primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational and non-formal education in accordance with the Protocol on Education and Training and the MDGs. Adopt and implement gender sensitive educational policies and programmes addressing gender stereotypes in education and gender-based violence, amongst others.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 15-19 PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ARTICLES 15-19 PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
This Article provides for the equal participation of women in economic policy formulation and implementation. This article has provisions and targets on entrepreneurship, access to credit and public procurement contracts, as well as stipulations on trade policies, equal access to property, resources and employment. Ensure equal participation by women and men in policy formulation and implementation of economic policies. Conduct time use studies and adopt policy measures to ease the burden of the multiple roles played by women Adopt policies and enact laws which ensure equal access, benefits and opportunities for women and men in trade and entrepreneurship, taking into account the contribution of women in the formal and informal sectors
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 15-19 PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT cont. ARTICLES 15-19 PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT cont.
Review national trade and entrepreneurship policies, to make them gender responsive With regard to the affirmative action provisions of Article 5, introduce measures to ensure that women benefit equally from economic opportunities, including those created through public procurement processes Review all policies and laws that determine access to, control of, and benefit from, productive resources by women Review, amend and enact laws and policies that ensure women and men have equal access to wage employment in all sectors of the economy.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 20-25 GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ARTICLES 20-25 GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
This article makes provision for the implementation of a variety of strategies, including enacting, reviewing, reforming and enforcing laws, aimed at eliminating all forms of gender-based violence, and trafficking. There are specific stipulations for the provision of a comprehensive package of treatment and care services for survivors of gender-based violence, including the access to post exposure prophylaxis and the establishment of special courts to address these cases. There are specific provisions on human trafficking. A section which provides for monitoring and evaluation sets targets and indicators for reducing gender-based violence levels by half by 2015. Enact and enforce legislation prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence Ensure that laws on gender-based violence provide for the comprehensive testing, treatment and care of survivors of sexual assault Review and reform specific legislative provisions to prevent human trafficking and provide holistic services to the victims, with the aim of re-integrating them into society Enact legislative provisions, and adopt and implement policies, strategies and programmes which define and prohibit sexual harassment in all spheres, and provide deterrent sanctions for perpetrators of sexual harassment Adopt integrated approaches, including institutional cross-sector structures, with the aim of reducing current levels of gender-based violence by half by 2015
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 26 HEALTH ARTICLE 26 HEALTH
This article provides for the adoption and implementation of policies and programmes that address the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of women with specific targets for reducing the maternal mortality ratio and ensuring access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. Adopt and implement legislative frameworks, policies, programmes and services to enhance gender sensitive, appropriate and affordable quality health care Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75 Develop and implement policies and programmes to address the mental, sexual and reproductive health needs of women and men Ensure the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities and nutritional needs of women, including women in prison.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 27 HIV AND AIDS ARTICLE 27 HIV AND AIDS
This article covers the prevention, treatment, care and support in relation to HIV and AIDS Develop gender sensitive strategies to prevent new infections Ensure universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment for infected women, men, boys and girls Develop and implement policies and programmes to ensure the appropriate recognition, of the work carried out by care-givers, the majority of whom are women the allocation of resources and psychological support for care-givers as well as promote the involvement of men in the care and support of people living with AIDS.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLE 28 PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ARTICLE 28 PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
This provides for the equal representation of women in conflict resolution and peace building processes as well as the integration of a gender perspective in the resolution of conflict in the region Put in place measures to ensure that women have equal representation and participation in key decision-making positions in conflict resolution and peace building processes, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 29-31 MEDIA, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ARTICLES 29-31 MEDIA, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
This article provides for gender to be mainstreamed in all information, communication and media policies and laws. It calls for womens equal representation in all areas and at all levels of media work and for women and men to be given equal voice through the media. The Protocol calls for increasing programmes for, by and about women and the challenging of gender stereotypes in the media. Take ownership to promote the equal representation of women in ownership of, and decision-making structures of the media, in accordance with Article 12.1 that provides for equal representation of women in decision-making positions by 2015.
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The Protocol at a glance
MAIN PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 2015
ARTICLES 32-36 IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION ARTICLES 32-36 IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
These articles make provision for gender sensitive budgets and resource allocation oversight of the Protocol by a Committee of gender ministers development of national action plans based on the Protocol and the collection of baseline data for monitoring and evaluation. The Protocol requires that Member States submit comprehensive reports to the Secretariat every two years indicating progress achieved in the implementation of the provisions.
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CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS SOUTH AFRICA

• Provisions for non-discrimination generally Yes,
  Chapter 1 of the Constitution
• Provision for non-discrimination based on sex
  specifically Yes, Chapter 2 of the Constitution
• Provision for non-discrimination on the basis of
  sex and others e.g. marital status, pregnancy
  Yes, Section 9
• Provision for the promotion of gender equality
  Yes, Section 9
• Has other provisions that relate to gender Yes,
  Section 12
• Has claw back clause no
• Addresses contradictions between the Constitution
  , law and practices Yes, Sections 15 and 30
• Provisions for Affirmative Action Yes, Section
  187

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ADOPTION AND RATIFICATION

• 13 of the 15 Member States have adopted the
  Protocol in 2008, with Botswana and Mauritius
  having not signed
• 7 countries have to date ratified and deposited
  the instrument with the SADC Secretariat. DRC
  has yet to deposit its instrument.
• Signature of a Protocol by a member state
  signifies an initial endorsement of the Protocol.
• Article 41 requires that a 2/3 majority should
  then ratify and deposit their instruments of
  ratification with the SADC Secretariat. At this
  stage, two more ratifications and deposition are
  required for the Protocol to enter into force in
  the sub-region.

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WHATS NEXT?

• Progress report against the SADC Protocol
  Monitoring Tool developed and submitted
• Ratification of the Protocol by National
  Parliament
• Depositing of the instrument of ratification with
  SADC Secretariat
• National consultations on implementation and
  domestication
• Domestication at the country level through
  legislation such as the Gender Equality Bill, and
  strategies such as the mainstreaming strategy and
  through the ME system
• Programmes facilitated across sectors and
  departments to ensure that targets will be
  attained in given time frames
• Government departments to therefore include costs
  for implementation within budgetary processes,
  plans and projects
• Ongoing ME on progress in implementation and
  review consultative meetings
• Preparation of next country progress report in
  2013

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THANK YOU
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