Latest statistics from the UNAIDS reveal that in sub-Saharan Africa today, women account for 60% of all HIV infections - a rate that has been steadily increasing over the years. As the burden of the epidemic continues to be shouldered by women and girls, development in the region is hindered by social, cultural, legal and economic policies that maintain gender inequalities. Currently, less than half of the SADC member states have enacted laws against domestic violence, while traditional practices that impinge upon women and girls’ basic human rights are still being practised in some communities in the region.

As a nation, Zimbabwe has taken steps to address gender inequalities by recently enacting a law against domestic violence.  As such, the Zimbabwean Chapter of the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance (the Alliance) recognises the Zimbabwe government’s commitment, and would like to commend it for the support offered towards the passing of the SADC Gender and Development Protocol at the SADC Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2007.

A Protocol is the most legally binding of all SADC instruments and the proposed SADC Gender and Development Protocol represents a groundbreaking initiative by member states which aims to bring together all existing international and regional commitments towards achieving gender equality. The campaign for the Protocol began in 2005 after an audit on Gender and Development which showed that while considerable progress has been made since the signing of the Declaration in 1997, there were still some gaps that needed to be filled.

The Protocol addresses a wide range of issues that affect women in the region, constitutional and legal rights, governance, education, gender based violence, HIV and AIDS, peace-building and conflict resolution, media, information and communication. It also provides for equal representation of women in all decision making processes as well as equal access to quality education and training for women.

In an effort to prevent new HIV infections, the Draft Protocol places great emphasis on intensifying gender-aware prevention efforts as well as research on preventative methods targeted at women. Conversely, the Protocol undertakes to address the persistent problem of gender based violence by encouraging domestication of policies that eliminate all forms of violence, including marital rape and trafficking. The Protocol also proposes to enshrine gender equality in all constitutions in the region and to repeal all laws that are discriminatory of women by 2015. It seeks to enhance all commitments through the use of specific timeframes, the creation of effective mechanisms for implementation, the deepening of regional integration, and the sharing of best practices.

The Southern Africa Protocol Alliance members further appeal to the Zimbabwe delegation attending the SADC Heads of State and Government summit in South Africa this week (16- 17 August 2008) to continue to demonstrate leadership and support towards the adoption of the draft SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. Once adopted, the Gender Protocol would represent a significant regional instrument towards achieving gender equality and improving the status – personal, social and economic - of women and girls in southern Africa.

For more information, please contact

Mrs Lois Chingandu
Executive Director

The Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service,
SAfAIDS
17 Beveridge Rd
Avondale
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel :          +263 4 336193/4
E-mail:    lois@safaids.org.zw, or
info@safaids.org.zw
Website: www.safaids.net