2015, Yes we Must! The SADC Gender Protocol @ Work

1. KEY FACTS

Two years to go until 2015: the deadline for the MDG's and the 28 targets of the SADC Gender Protocol Targets.

Gender Links is coordinating the Summit with the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance, and support of the SADC Gender Unit.

The SADC Gender Protocol summit is calling for entries at local and national level, from the media and media training institutions, for examples of the SADC Protocol@work in five theme categories.

The country and regional summits will also assess progress and affirm good institutional and leadership practice in the local government and media Centres of Excellence for Gender in 12 SADC countries.

The regional summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 April will be preceded by country summits in 12 SADC countries.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

2. Synopsis

Nearly five years have passed since the historic adoption of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development. Barely two years from now, governments will have to account for actions taken to meet the 28 targets of this unique sub-regional instrument that brings together existing global and continental commitments to gender equality. The MDG targets also have a 2015 deadline. MDG Three concerns gender equality. There is already a lively debate on the post 2015 agenda. What about the agenda until 2015?

Gender Links, the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance, local government associations, Gender and Media (GEM) networks and media development institutions will host the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Summits to gather evidence of the SADC Gender Protocol@Work. With the strapline "yes we must", the initiative, that has the support for the SADC Gender Unit, will also make a concerted call for increasing the momentum on implementation in the run up to 2015. Partners will convene 12 preparatory country summits in Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe in March, culminating in a regional summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 April. Entries from countries that do not have summits will be shortlisted and adjudicated directly at the regional summit.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

3. Objectives

The SADC Gender Protocol Summits and Awards aim to achieve the following at country and regional level:

Take stock and turn up the pressure for implementation and accountability in the two

Bring together all key stakeholders to share strategies and good practises for

Profile and affirm the work of media and local government Gender Centres of Excellence

Build linkages between the media and local government work on the ground as part of the broader objective of gender responsive governance and accountability, and developing a critical citizenry around the SADC Gender Protocol and the MDGs.

Develop strategic partnerships and networking opportunities.

Strengthen the gender movement from local to national to regional to international level.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

4. Background

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The United Nations MDG's aim to meet the needs of the world's poorest. With eight goals, ranging from hal ving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV and AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015, the MDGs form a blue print agreed on by all the world's countries and most development institutions. Goal Three is concerned with promoting gender equality and empowering women. This includes eliminating gender discrimination in different sectors.

SADC Protocol on Gender and Development

In August 2008, SADC Heads of State and Governments signed the ground-breaking SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, elevating the SADC Declaration to a more binding regional instrument. With its 28 targets, the protocol provides Southern Africa with a road map for the fulfilment of the MDGs. GL is using the gender protocol as a framework to anchor its work. The protocol has specific targets for media and local government, which include the equal representation of women and men in all areas and at all levels of decision-making. East Africa is keen on developing its regional protocol building from the Southern African experience. The SADC gender protocol therefore serves as a regional roadmap to achieving the MDGs. East and Southern Africa are bound together by the MDGs.

The Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance

Formed around the campaign for the SADC Gender Protocol in 2005, the Alliance now comprises 15 country networks and eight theme groups, as well as two interest groups (the men's sector and Faith Based Organisations) - see www.sadcgenderprotocol.org. The Alliance has produced four Barometers tracking progress in the 15 countries of the region against the 28 targets of the Protocol. The alliance is in the process of strengthening country networks through identifying champions of the 28 targets of the Protocol in each country. The Alliance is also working with governments to align national gender policies and action plans to the Protocol and to cost implementation. The alliance has launched a campaign for an addendum to the Protocol on Gender and Climate Change http://www.genderlinks.org.za/page/sadc-climate-change. This topic has been mainstreamed into the media and local government COE's.

Centres of Excellence for Gender in Local Government and the Media

A key development over the last two years is The Centers of Excellence (COE) concept for both media (media houses and media training institutions) and local government. The COE concept is a follow to the gender and local government and media research, training, advocacy, gender policy and action plans that have been taking place in SADC since 2001. The lessons learned from this early work is that the best way to effect change is to work at institutional level; demonstrate that change is possible through affirming good practice and sharing experiences at summits, and then cascading this work inspired by the dictum: "nothing succeeds like success." In the local government work, councils develop, cost and implement action plans aligned to the 28 targets of the SADC Gender Protocol. In the media, institutions develop and implement gender policies. This includes a ten stage on-the-job training for journalists structured around the ten themes of the SADC Gender Protocol. GL has produced training manuals for the media and local government COE's.

Currently GL is working with 141 local authorities and 119 media houses (in 13 SADC countries) that have committed to become Centres of Excellence for Gender Mainstreaming. GL is also working with 16 media training institutions on mainstreaming gender in their curriculums. During the 2011 Sixteen Day campaign, GL brought together media and local government COEs to plan and profile local government efforts to combat gender based violence. This project saw media covering the work of local government COEs and local government providing media with vital sources on gender based violence.

Gender and Media summits and awards

Since 2004, GL and partner organisations have held the regional Gender and Media (GEM) summits every two years. The first GEM summit, a collaborative effort between Gender Links and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) took place in 2004 under the banner 'Making Every Voice count'. This summit followed the launch of the Gender and Media Baseline Study (GMBS) in 2003. It was at this summit that media partners formed the Gender and Media Southern Africa Network (GEMSA). Subsequent summits took place in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The past four GEM summits have brought together key media stakeholders who include, media practitioners, media researchers, media trainers, students, civil society, regulators and ordinary citizens. GL has always combined the GEM summits with the GEM awards, which seek to recognise and award gender and media excellence. The GMDC, SPI and AWC have been crucial partners in the GEM summits and awards. In 2008, SPI and GL co-anchored the MAP HIV and AIDS and Gender Institutional award.

Gender justice and Local government summits and awards

The first ever Gender Justice and Local Government Summit and Awards took place in Johannesburg South Africa in 2010. Under the banner '365 Days of local action to end gender violence ' the summit and awards brought together journalists, local government authorities, municipalities, NGOs and representatives of ministries of gender and local government. After the inception summit, two regional summits followed in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, GL and local government partners broke new ground with six in-country mini summits in Botswana,Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe ahead of the regional summit. The mini-summits and regional summit featured awards on good practices in empowering women and ending gender violence. In 2012, through piloting the in-country summits, GL reached 703 people (63% women and 37% men) and attract 350 good practices on addressing GBV at the local level.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

5. Rationale

Following four Gender and Media (GEM) summits and three Gender Justice and Local Government (GJLG) summits, GL and partner organisations seek to turn up pressure for implementation and accountability leading up to 2015 by combining these efforts. The Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance that campaigned for the adoption and ratification of the Protocol has turned its focus to implementation. Comprising fifteen country focal networks, eight theme groups, and two interest groups (men's organisations and Faith Based Organisations), the Alliance is gathering evidence of the SADC Protocol@Work. At consultative meetings in June and August 2012, media, local government and alliance partners agreed to work together to host several country and one regional summit that will show case good practice in making use of this instrument.

Creating synergies across organisations and strengthening the COE process leading up to 2015:. Bringing key stakeholders together in one summit will:

Create synergies in the work of the SADC gender protocol programme, media, local government and gender justice work.

Broadening participation and sharing of knowledge within each country;

Raise the COE profiles;

Strengthen ownership and partnerships among different stakeholders.

Increasing participation, visibility and impact: The high number of participants in the 2012 local government summits and awards is evidence of how GL and partner organisations can reach more people by decentralising the summits and giving visibility to local level initiatives. In-country summits have created visibility for the work of the SADC Gender Protocol Alliance as well as provided opportunities for fundraising in country. Different stakeholders and sponsors have come on board as well as the local media. The summits are also mutually beneficial advocacy initiatives that have opened many doors not only for GL but also for for all the participants who are able to show their work on a regional platform.

Strengthening the GEM networks and citizen participation: In-country summits ensure that voices from the coalface are able to come to a space where they can share their experiences and learn from other sector players. For the media component, this includes ordinary people, who have participated in the GL media literacy courses. Their participation is crucial in creating an active and critical citizenry that is able to hold the media and governments accountable to their commitments. The GMDC has opened its collaborative networking to gender and media networks registered in-country in Southern Africa and beyond. The 2013 summit will help strengthen these networks and breathe energy into in country efforts.

Improving the quality of work through increased competition and collaboration:

It is important to profile the work of the media and local government COEs as it shows COEs that the work they do is important and makes impact, thereby ensuring commitment from the COEs. Past awards have shown the need to canvass and market the awards at country level to attract good quality and a large number of award entries. Past local government in-country summits and awards have shown how local local initiatives can help maintain the high standard of the awards.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

6. Targets

Alliance

Local government

Media

Media training

Civil society

Alliance members

Thematic cluster leads

Ministries of Gender

Councils from across the SADC region who are currently part of the COE councils.

Local authorities associations (e.g. SALGA, ALAN, UCAZ, ZILGA, etc)

Community based organisations working with the COEs.

Ministries of Local Government and Gender Individuals where applicable

Media COEs

Local media

Media regulators

Media researchers

GMDC advisory group members

Journalism and media training institutions

Media literacy participants

GEM networks

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

7. AWARD CATEGORIES AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE

This is detailed on the home page for the SADC Gender Protocol Summit in English, French and Portuguese, with forms provided under each category.

Category

Eligibility

Alliance

Local Government

Media

Theme - please see the five themes on the website

Affiliates of the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance - theme, country and cross country

Local government COE's in ten countries

Radio, Print, TV and online feature, magazine, or documentary productions in 2012 that challenge gender stereotypes and promote gender equality.

Leadership

Media COE's in twelve countries

Institutional - COE

Other

Gender and media training

Media training institutions

Opinion and commentary service

Contributors to the service

Gender and media activism

GEM networks

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

8. KEY DATES

Activity

Where

When

Announcement

All countries

12 December

Closing dates for awards entries and submission of best practices

All countries

15 February 2013

COE Verification

10 countries for local government; 12 for media

By 28 February 2013

Country summits

12 countries

March 2013 on dates to be specified

Regional summit

22-24 April

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

9. HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION BY 15 FEBRUARY 2013

Please write up your submission in word, making use of the guidelines provided. Please try to adhere to the length stipulated in each box. Please adhere to the editorial and photo guidelines provided.

As far as possible all entries must be submitted online, following the link provided on the website. Please select appropriate options from the drop down menu, or cut and paste your word document into the online form.

If you are unable to make your submission online, you may E Mail the word document and all accompanying materials to summit@genderlinks.org.za.

If you are unable to submit online or to E Mail, please drop off at the GL office, or GL partner office, per the details in the table below.

QUERIES: All queries should be sent to summit@genderlinks.org.za. All queries and responses to queries will be made available on the summit website under Frequently Asked Questions.

Conditions

GL may contact you requesting additional information to strengthen applications.

GL may contact you where the application does not fit into category it is entered into to reallocate the submission to an appropriate category.

Please note that GL reserves the right not to make awards in any category where entries do not meet the requisite standard.

Judges decisions are final.

WHERE TO DROP OFF APPLICATIONS THAT CANNOT BE SUBMITTED ONLINE

Country information

ANGOLA

BOTSWANA

Roos van Dorp

Gender Links Botswana

Gaborone

progbotswana@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

Plot 1277, Clover House

Old Lobatse Road

Gaborone, Botswana

Tel :00 267 318 8250

Fax : 00 267 318 8251

DRC

LESOTHO

Ntolo Lekau

Gender Links Lesotho

Maseru

lesothointern@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

4th Floor, Christie House

Orpen Road ,Old Europa

Maseru West 105

Tel : 00266-22316755

MADAGASCAR

Zotonantenaina Razanadratefa

Gender Links Madagascar

Antananarivo

madagascarintern@genderlinks.org.za

Physical Address:

Villa Tsiriantsoa

Lot C 142 B

Andranomena

Antananarivo, 101

Tel: 00261 3416 80858

MALAWI

MAURITIUS

Mena Gopaul

Gender Links Mauritius

Mauritius

progmauritius@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

5 Edwin Ythier Street

Rose Hill

Mauritius

Tel : 00 230 466 6638

Fax : 00 230 465 4312

MOZAMBIQUE

Ruben Covane

GL Francophone Office

Mozambique

mozambiqueintern@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

1475 Av. Marien Ngoabi

Maputo

Mocambique

Tel : 00 258 2140 4923

Fax : 00 258 2140 4923

NAMIBIA

Laurentia Golley

Gender Links Namibia Office

Windhoek

namibiaintern@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

139 Str. Johann Albrecht

Windhoek

Tel : 00 264 817 311 0302

Fax : 00 264 088 618 644

SOUTH AFRICA

Nomthandazo Mankazana

Gender Links South Africa

Johannesburg

govofficer@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

9 Derrick Avenue

Cyrildene

Johannesburg

Tel : 00 27 11 622 2877

Fax : 00 27 11 622 4732

SWAZILAND

Thandokuhle Dhlamini

Gender Links Swaziland Office

Mbababe

swazilandintern@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

Gwamile Street, Richards House

1st Floor Office # 5&11

P O Box 4859

Mbabane

Tel :00 268 763 53820

TANZANIA

ZAMBIA

Albert Ngosa

Gender Links Zambia Office

Lusaka

progzambia@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

Mount Makulu Chilanga,

House No. N30,

Lusaka

Tel: 00260 964 859146

ZIMBABWE

Tapiwa Zvaraya

Gender Links Zimbabwe Office

Harare

Zimbabwe

progzimbabwe@genderlinks.org.za

Physical address:

30 Samora Machel Avenue

6th floor, Nicoz Diamond Building

Harare, Zimbabwe

Tel : 00 263 773 955 517

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

10. AWARDS IN EACH CATEGORY

Theme

Institutional

TOTAL

Alliance

Local government

Media

Leadership -local gvt

COE - local gvt

Leadership - media

COE - media

Radio

TV

Print

Countries with summits - Alliance, Local government, Media (1)

Botswana

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

18

Lesotho

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

18

Madagascar

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

18

Mauritius

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

18

Mozambique

5

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

17

Namibia

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

16

Swaziland

5

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

17

Zambia

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

18

Countries with summits - Alliance and Media (2)

DRC

5

1

1

1

1

1

10

Malawi

5

1

1

1

1

1

10

Tanzania

5

1

1

1

1

1

10

Countries whose entries go direct to regional (3)

South Africa

5

5

1

1

1

1

1

15

Seychelles

5

1

1

1

8

Angola

5

1

1

1

8

Other awards that will be adjudicated at regional

Best Opinion and Commentary Service in 2012 - English, French, Portuguese

3

Best case study on gender and media activism

1

The media studies institution that has taken the greatest strides in mainstreaming gender into its curriculum and practise

1

TOTAL POTENTIAL ENTRIES TO THE REGIONAL SUMMIT

206

NATURE OF THE AWARDS

What

Award

Recognition

Every entry accepted at national or regional level

A R500 honourarium will be paid for all entries accepted and presented at national and or regional level.

All cases studies of the SADC Protocol@Work will be published and analysed in the next issue of the Gender and Media Diversity Journal; 2013 Barometer and in the online SADC Protocol@work series

Winners at national level

Will receive sponsorship to attend the regional summit in Johannesburg

Will be profiled on the GL website and receive high level recognition and media coverage at the national awards ceremony.

Winners at regional level

Will receive prizes in cash and kind depending on the award for winner and runner up.

Will be profiled on the GL website and receive high level recognition and media coverage at the regional awards ceremony.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

11. Partners and sponsors

Key partners in this initiative include Gender Links, the SADC Gender Unit, the SADC Gender Protocol Alliance, the Gender and Media Diversity Centre (GMDC), the Sol Plaatjie Institute (SPI) for Media Management and Leadership and the Africa Woman Child and Feature Service. The Alliance is a coalition of gender country networks and theme clusters that worked for the adoption, and is now advocating the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. The GMDC is a partnership of media training institutions; media development NGOs as well as gender and media networks committed to "connecting, collecting, and collaborating." The SPI is a media management and training institution based at Rhodes University. Key sponsors include DFID; the Netherlands government through the FLOW Fund; Sida; Diakonia; Norwegian Church Aid; NEPAD and the EU.

Back to Gender Protocol Summit page

12. Outputs

A collection of exemplary alliance, local government and media and media training good practises through the presentations and awards.

A CDROM and handbook of good practices in gender justice and gender and governance at local level

Summit and awards pamphlets, reports etc.

Case studies of the SADC Gender Protocol@work written up.

Outcomes

Accelerated momentum towards the attainment of gender equality by 2015.

Strengthened networks that are able to work together towards achieving the SADC gender protocol targets.

Contribution to the body of knowledge around gender justice, especially in media and local government.

Improving access to information (particularly good practice models) on gender violence and the role local authorities and media houses have played and still play in our quest to end gender violence and reach our SADC protocol targets.

Providing stakeholders with practical tools to improve and apply the learning from the best practices within their respective contexts.