Presentation By Emma Kaliya-NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGOGCN) GENDER AND MEDIA SUMMIT: BIRCHWOOD HOTEL -JOHANNESBURG : OTOBER: 13, 2010 Presentation By Emma Kaliya-NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGOGCN)

INTRODUCTION This presentation seeks to highlight the SADC Protocol dissemination It also tries to focus on the village workshops conducted in March 2010 and looks at the role of the media and progress made so far and ends with a conclusion.

Project Objectives To provide background on the international and regional gender instruments with a particular focus on the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. To raise awareness on the relevance of the instruments on the lives of women in the country and communities, the SADC protocol on Gender and Development in particular

To contribute to the creation of a conducive environment for election of women aspirants in the forth coming local government elections through advocacy and lobbying processes To mobilize stakeholders support at community level for women aspiring for the forth coming local government elections.

Strategies Mapping out exercise Opinion Leaders meetings Community meetings Mass media campaign

Launch of the 50/50 Programme

Cabinet Ministers –MDG Torch

Cross section of Participants at Chikanda Village, Zomba

Engaging the Media The media has been a critical partner in the implementation of the 50/50 Campaign Both Electronic and Print media has been very active in the promotion of women in Politics and Decision making The role has not just been limited to Politics and decision making but to GBV, Economic empowerment, HIV and AIDS

Media Role Cont’ Most media houses are increasingly becoming a mouth piece of women as well as gender advocates. The media can build if given the correct information at the same time destroy if given the wrong information. Example: close to passing of the Domestic Violence Bill. Media flagged a very negative story of someone who called the bill rubbish. Brought us back to square A

OUTPUTS A total of 33 communities mobilized for the workshops 66 Constituency workshops conducted 5000 copies of the Protocol Leaflets distributed 100 copies of Chichewa Translated /English versions of the comprehensive SADC Protocol distributed. About 9000 pple reached

Progress The Development of 50/50 national programme for the 2009 elections and beyond.(239 Aspiring women Candidates) First Woman Vice President Comprehensive media coverage on gender matters. Parliament moved from 27 women in 2004 to 42 in 2009 women. Increased number of female cabinet Ministers to 11 in 2009 Increased allocation of resources by Development partners to gender and election related activities. Public sector responding positively i.e Police and MDF Private sector i.e BP(40% women in Decision making)

General Challenges Legal factors: No specific law to support equal representation except for the provision in the constitution backed by regional and international obligations. Patriarchy ideologies still very dominant Lack of resources to match with the commercialization of elections. Preference for male politians /workers

CHALLENGES TO THE PROTOCOL Budgetary Limitations – its implementation competes with many other issues on budgetary requirements in a government operating under severe financial constraints Another Gender noise – the Protocol is likely to be treated like another “gender noise” and face bureaucratic resistance in its various forms

CHALLENGES TO THE PROTOCOL Socialization– Attitudes of both men and women are rooted in culture which cannot change overnight Religious Beliefs – Issues of gender equality can be very sensitive religious issues e.g legalizing abortion Pervasive Nature of Imbalances – There are too many issues to be attended to and each of them needs a lot of time and resources. Priorities are difficult to set since the issues are intertwined

Way Forward and Vision Ideally, we are looking at a society that appreciates gender equality and equity as a foundation for sustainable development. There will be no good governance if a certain group of society is left behind Need to strengthen the Multi-sectoral approach as stipulated in the National Response Documents in this regard private sector We remain optimistic that we will get there however there is need to emphasize on a human rights based approach to programming “Nothing about us without us” THE TIME IS NOW

End ! THANK YOU ! ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI !