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ZIMBABWELOCAL GOVERNMENT AND GENDER JUSTICE

SUMMIT AND AWARDS

23-25 APRIL 2012KAPONANG HOTEL; JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

365 DAYS OF LOCAL ACTION TO END VIOLENCE ANDEMPOWER WOMEN

COUNCILOR BENARDETTE CHIPEMBERECHIREDZI TOWN COUNCIL

50/50 CAMPAIGN

PROJECTS:GENDER

&

GOVE

RNANCE

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HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT IDENTIFYING THIS PROBLEM?

Chiredzi Town Council is located in the Low-veld, in the southern part ofZimbabwe. It has a population of approximately 70,000 people. The bigquestion is how many people know about the 50/50 campaign, thereforethe need for door-to-door campaigns at grassroots level if we are to

achieve the 2015 targets.

At least 30% of the population had an idea about 50/50 and other genderissues.

I discovered that most 50/50 gender equality campaigns were focused onthe top echelons of leadership in Government, business and generalleadership. It is for this reason that i decided to focus on grass rootspeople because they have no access to information on equal

representation in decision making positions.

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

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IS THIS ISSUE IMPORTANT?

The issue is importantbecause the people whoneed to change theirmindsets in numbers arefound at the grassroots.

There is need for grassrootsto understand theimportance of 50/50 or equal

representation in positionsof authority e.g. localgovernment, lower andupper house.

The Political targets ofhaving 50/50 representationin local gvt, lower and upper

houses will not be achievedby 2015 and in the comingZimbabwe elections.

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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HOW ARE YOU GOING ABOUT ADDRESSING THI S PROBLEM?

I have set-up ward campaign teams of 50 people per ward. Theteam is made up of men and women, vendors, church persons,politicians from the three major political parties and local

government leaders.

To equip the teams with the knowledge on gender equalityissues, Womens rights in the development of our communities

Strengthening of leadership skills

Building their confidence and public speaking

Mobilising support from the community

Highlighting the barriers faced by women if they want toparticipate in politics

The major reference was THE COAL FACE, a Zimbabweanpublication by Genderlinks

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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WHAT IS THE TIME-FRAME FOR THE PROJECT?

The project waslaunchedimmediately after the50/50 re-launch at

Crown Plaza Hotel on5 August 2011 and itson-going until all thewe have reachedevery household in

Chiredzi Town.PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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WHO IS THE KEY TARGET? WHO IS INVOLVED? ARE WOMEN AND MENEQUALLY INVOLVED?

The key target is Chiredzicommunity, which is both

rural and urban.The stakeholders involved are,

ResidentsMinistry of Womens AffairsBusiness communityResidents Associations

Womens groups

Men and women are equallyinvolved.

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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PARTNERSHIPS FORMED THROUGH THE PROJECT

There werepartnerships thatwere formedthrough the

project.

Chiredzi TownCouncil

The three mainpolitical parties

(ZANU-PF, MDC &MDC-T)

Womens

organizations

Churches

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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RESOURCEFULNESS: WHAT FINANCIAL, HUMAN ANDOTHER RESOURCES WERE MOBILISED?

The Councillor providesrefreshments, whilstCouncil providesgender focal persons

and a transport vehicle.Womens organizationsprovided(Wo)manpower

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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CREATIVITY: ARE YOU USING ARTS, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SOCIALMEDIA TO POPULARISE THE ISSUES?

The local arts group acted out dramas and plays to

publicise the 50/50 campaign. The dramas are beingperformed at public places such as beer-halls, bustermini and schools.

A local paper-the Masvingo Mirror- covered the 50/50

campaign activities

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Periodic feedback meetings with the ward campaign teams

The ability to interpret the 28 targets of the SADC Protocolon Gender and Development by community members.

Increased numbers of people joining campaign teams andattendance at campaign meetings.

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50CAMPAIGN

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WHAT RESULTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED?

Grass roots people are now

knowledgeable on the 50/50campaign and the increase innumbers who want to jointhe campaign teams.

Community awareness onGender & Governance hasbeen enhanced.

Acceptance of the 50/50parity by men .P

ROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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IMPACT (BASED ON THE SADC PROTOCOL TARGETS)

The impact is the quality of participation by women hasimproved.

The increase in numbers of women participation and genderawareness levels have gone up.

Policies are now being changed to suit the needs of women

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION

The 50/50 campaign can be replicated by fellowCouncillors. It can be taken-up by other councils in theirrespective areas.

Door-to-door campaigns are proving to be effective.

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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LESSONS LEARNED

Women have been unified despitecoming from different political

backgroundsPersistence pays. It is difficult for thecommunity to grasp gender issueswithout assistance, especially men.

Its is very important to rope-in thepolitical parties

There is low literacy levels pertaining togender issues.

Lack of support from families

There are cultural barriers betweenwomen and men.

There is for identification of people whoare running the campaign.

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE

50/50 CAMPAIGN

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ANY QUESTIONS?

PROJECTS:

GENDER&

GOVER

NANCE