THE SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT 2014 LEADERSHIP JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA 26-29 MAY 2014 PRESENTER: RACHEL BUHLE JEREMIA 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA LEADERSHIP Definition A person who guides and directs a group of people with authoritativeness, influence, command and effectiveness. A process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs an organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. NB: Good leader is made not born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. A Good leader develops through a never ending process of self-study, education, training and experience. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA SYNOPSIS I am an agent of change who works by leading by example, I direct and support my staff.   I believe the best way to raise positive children (Officers) in a negative (abusive) world is to have positive parents (leaders) who love them unconditionally and serve as an excellent role model. This was evident in November 2013 when an informal meeting was organized with Council female employees of all ranks to open up on gender issues. I encouraged them to talk about contributions, factors or aspects that could lead to an abusive community, giving examples of the passion killings that had happened in the past two months. The meeting turned out to be a learning curve and an eye opener for some individuals. I, as the gender champion had laid out the objectives of the gathering. The 1 ½ hours allocated became very short and they requested for more of such gatherings. Phrases used were: “we molest men by not respecting them,” and “they do not like too many words we use when we present our issues to them.” Men are jealous and we need to know that. We should know their capability and unlock all the love and the tenderness in them. The meeting became too emotionally involving as some women found it allowing to open up on their painful backgrounds, experiences and their daily sufferings in their households. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA OBJECTIVES To Educate and create awareness on issues of gender and gender based violence citing programs and legislation such as Children’s Act 08 of 2009, domestic violence act of…. etc To help unleash knowledge and skills on individuals and subsequently grooming them To encourage and support individuals to have self confidence and high esteem To ensure proper counselling and support for gender based violence survivors 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA BACKGROUND I underwent training on gender action plan and Centre of Excellence. I then formed the Sowa Township Council Gender Committee and sent the committee for training in 2010. I participated on the National and Regional summit in 2010 on the Economic Empowerment category and got position two at the regional summit. In 2012, I once again formed the now overly active gender committee in Chobe District Council and helped with mainstreaming in the COE in 2012. Many people perceive me as a champion and a role model, as I am able to encourage and unearth hidden treasures in most individuals. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA KEY ACTIVITIES I coordinate, develop and monitor government programs including gender related issues. I’m also regarded as a gender pioneer in gender mainstreaming. Challenges Culture and hindrance on some interventions e.g. cohabitation, sex work etc We improvise on budget for gender activities 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS   Amount local currency (specify) Amount in Rand Gender specific allocation Gender in mainstream projects (please specify)  P65 000.00  R69,000.00 Amount contributed in cash or in kind by partner organisations (Vanersborg Municipality) P20,000.00 R22,000.00 TOTAL P225 000,00 R231,000.OO 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA CHALLENGES Time As a coordinator and an accounting officer of a big organisation there is limited time for me to participate fully on other activities and events. Budget As gender has not yet been fully streamlined or mainstreamed into Council procedures, it currently doesn’t have a budget. Activities currently incorporate into other budgeted programs. Way Forward Time »»»»» I delegate some of my assignments to my subordinates and even those at lower levels to empower them Budget »»» Other gender activities have been mainstreamed into the existing programs and budget. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA RESULTS Changes at individual level “Championing gender has taught me that courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” This is a statement I used at one of our management meetings giving an overview on gender issues. Evidence “You are a gender champion”, these were the words from gender committee members in Sowa Township and Chobe Councils. “You have baptised us in the name of gender”, these are appreciation words from the Chobe District Council Gender Committee members. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA RESULTS Changes at the institutional level The institution members easily volunteer to form teams on initiatives by government. E.G WITS, wellness committees, corruption prevention and its groups. Innovations include identifying focal persons, forming committees and participating at the summits and conventions but it all started with Gender Committee. Evidence Track record all the way from Sowa to Chobe shows my commitment and passion on instituting gender based changes in both organisations. Participation on all National and Regional summits since 2010 on different categories. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA RESULTS Roads WITs Team Corruption Prevention Team Wellness day celebrations 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA RESULTS Change at the community level The gospel of gender continues to spread in the community especially during the 16 days of activism as more and more people are engaged. A District gender committee has been formed in 2012 has organised and taken part in the district 16 days of activism against GBV. Advantage is taken through other forums such as kgotla meetings to create awareness. Candle light memorial service For victims of HIV/AIDS 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA RESULTS Capacity building I took the committee through the project presentation material on COE in 2012, the project was then presented at the national summit. The committee thereafter has been presenting on different themes and were able to win awards Evidence Ms Tshepang, Ms Mojaphoko & Ms Matenge who call themselves the gender disciples participated at all summits from 2012 and brought 6 awards. In 2012 & 2013 two Council (COE) gender disciples participated in the National Summit and brought awards while in 2014 three disciples participated and two brought awards. 50/50 BY 015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

LESSON LEARNED AND INNOVATION Often most abused women as opposed to their men counterparts turn to blame themselves most of the time for the abuse. Women have the same potential as men. Through continuous education, men and women will equally understand what Gender Based Violence entails. Team work accompanied with good leadership and motivation brings best results. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA Next steps To implement the council action plan and activities and continue developing different programmes. To encourage others in the management team to pioneer the gender mainstreaming vehicle. Continue identifying projects/programmes/individuals for gender sensitisation and economic empowerment. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION There is need to train fellow workmates on gender issues so that they can always carry on the baton when others leave. Having forums with other champions nationwide and regionally to share experiences as well as encouraging others in their respective localities to join in by creating working groups. Replicate best practices within the District. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

Achievements as a Gender Champion Various Awards from Gender mainstreaming Projects to Top Team work projects

Centre of Excellence at National Level

Winner in the regional level on climate change and sustainable developmnet

National WITs Champion In Local Governance

Leader in District Wellness Committee

Appreciation of Excellence is Key

Appreciated WITs Teams Senkgarametse TulyiWonde

March Against “Passion Killings” with Stakeholders

Benchmarking with other Municipalities on their Gender Mainstreaming Programs and Projects Media Interview at Sweden

Partnership With Varnesborg Municipality of Sweden

CHDC Employees working together to build a house for the less privilleged

“Life is like photography, you develop from the negatives”. Unknown Thank you