KEY POINTS
- Minister Garwe advocates for gender-responsive budgeting to foster inclusivity.
- Summit brings together leaders to discuss gender equality in governance.
- Summit outcomes expected to impact Zimbabwe’s gender-based violence efforts.
Gender-responsive practices can improve service delivery and advance gender equality in communities, according to Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe.
Minister highlights gender-responsive budgeting as a tool for inclusion
Garwe spoke at the ongoing Voice and Change Summit, which is being hosted by the regional women’s rights group Gender Links. With the topic “Promoting Gender-Responsive Governance and Economic Development,” the three-day event intends to bring together government agencies, civil society organisations, local authorities, and the media to exchange best practices across a range of fields.
“Gender-responsive budgeting is a critical tool for making sure that resource allocation takes into account the needs of both men and women, fostering inclusivity at every level,” Garwe stated.
According to newsday, he underlined how crucial it is to identify “centres of excellence” in gender mainstreaming, pointing out that these establishments act as examples of governance that place a high priority on gender equality. Garwe went on to say that sustainable growth requires local economic development and urged the media to cover gender problems properly.
Government urged to set standards for improved service delivery
Garwe also cited the blueprint known as “Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery,” which urges the central government to set baseline standards for service delivery. He pointed out that several local authorities have already successfully implemented the strategy.
Garwe expressed his expectation that the projects showcased at this summit would demonstrate the progress our local authorities have made in fulfilling these minimal service delivery requirements.
The focus of the summit, according to Lilian Takaendesa, chief director of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, emphasizes the necessity of incorporating gender issues into economic and governance plans.
“This summit aims to foster collaboration towards gender-responsive governance by bringing together diverse stakeholders, including media practitioners and members of the Women of the South Speak Out Fellowship,” Takaendesa stated.
The summit’s conclusions are anticipated to have a major impact on Zimbabwe’s efforts to address gender-based violence, supporting the worldwide 16 Days of Activism campaign and reaffirming our dedication to building a more secure and just society for all.
The case studies given during the summit will be used to evaluate government adherence to the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Gender and Development, according to Josephine Ncube, chairperson of the Gender Links Zimbabwe board.
Newsday stated that since the beginning of the summit, participants have exchanged best practices in a variety of areas, such as projects (Climate Change, Gender-Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), media, institutional centres of excellence, youth, gender-responsive budgeting, drivers of change, entrepreneurship, and local economic development.
