1. Eenhana Town Council - Namibia
Promoting Sustainability in Strengthening and Cascading the COE Process in Councils
Eenhana Town Council - Namibia
Presenters:
Mr. Ndawedwa Muandingi
Ms. Elise N. Shikongo

2. Overview of COE Sustainability Strategy
Ownership of the process and implementation driven by key partners and stakeholders is paramount.
The Eenhana Town Council has committed itself to the COE process, has signed or ratified the SADC Protocol on 50/50 Gender representation and has appointed the Gender champion as well as the Gender Focal Person.
Programs and budgets are aligned to address gender related issues and other social issues. Partnerships are also forged/fostered to support gender specific programs/projects.
Skills building and transfer are also essential for sustainability.
Eenhana Town Council has put in place tailor made training programs, exchange programs through twinning relations, study visits/induction as well as benchmarking exercises and sharing best practices to improve knowledge, experience/exposure and skills transfer.
Gender mainstreaming needs to be embedded within all government structures
Council has provided for a position of a Wellness Officer within its organizational structure for the period. This person will coordinate gender specific activities within Council.
Gender Links has prioritised the sustainability of the COE programme through strategic steps.
Council has incorporated gender specific issues into its Strategic Plan and activities are being carried out in annual plans.

3. NEXT STEPS PROCESS
Council representatives work in a groups according to their Councils.
The Gender Champion and Focal Persons together with appointed officials work together on various COE issues.
Councils respond in PowerPoints which are immediately computed, saved and shared with Gender Links Managers at the Summits so they can take forward the next steps.
PowerPoint presentations done, shared with Gender Links.
Commitments for sustainability are shared, on taking the COE process forward.
COE commitments are included in Strategic Plan and annual plans as well as activities and are shared with all relevant stakeholders.
The following focus areas and guiding discussion questions should inform the group discussions by council, government representatives present at the summit and Gender Links staff.

4. 1. Strengthening the COE programmatically
The COE process is conceived as a solid institutional framework for promoting gender mainstreaming. How can the COE process be enriched programmatically in the following areas?

5. Entrepreneurship
GBV
Lobbying and advocacy for the rights of all including sexual orientation and gender identity
Climate Change
Training & mentorship
Awareness raising
Policy framework
Advocacy
Stakeholder engagement
Awareness
Sites and premises
Budgets
Expositions
Programs and activities
Linkages and networking

6. 2. Review of Action Plans
So far all the councils have completed the 10 stages of the COE process. There is need to strengthen gendered service delivery and ensure the current action plans are well implemented. What needs to be done to review action plans?
Carry out an M&E review of the current action plan
Depending on the outcome, carry out a review process with a view to improve implementation and address shortcomings.
Undertake a review workshop with relevant stakeholders
Develop new action plan
What needs to be done to ensure the Council’s current action plan is implemented well?
Provide financial and other support services
Monitor and evaluate progress on a quarterly basis

7. 3. COE Process - Quarterly backstopping. meetings (e
3. COE Process - Quarterly backstopping meetings (e.g setting up a Gender Forum that includes Gender Focal persons and Champions)
How can Councils ensure they continue to be involved in activities to promote gender mainstreaming?
By ensuring that gender specific issues are continuously advocated and implemented within Council’s mainstream implementation of projects.
Through the implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan and other mandatory statutes.
Through the encouragement of public and other stakeholders involvement and participation.
What formal mechanisms can be agreed for partnering to support the COE process? E.g. Can established gender structures in Councils form a regional forum to carry forward the work regionally and nationally?
Yes. Through our partnership with the City of Windhoek, Oshikuku, Ruacana and Harelbeke in Belgium; the COE and other gender specific issues are being carried out to the regional, national and international level.

8. 3. COE Process continued.
What support do Gender Champions and Gender Focal Persons require?
General understanding of gender mainstreaming and social issues
Leadership and advocacy skills
How can campaigns that Councils have been engaged in now run on a sustainable basis?
Through long term planning (strategic planning).
Annual work plans and activities
Participation in gender related activities, meetings and seminars
How can the positive trend of Councils earmarking resources for gender work be further leveraged? What continued financial assistance can be made available in support of the COE process?
Resource mobilization on a grand scale to cater for a wider ranging gender specific programs (fundraising, sponsorships, expositions etc.)
Funding of specific projects, programs as well as capacity building programs.

9. 4. Peer Learning and sharing
What potential exits for peer learning and sharing amongst Councils?
Local Authority, Regional and International Partnerships (Best Practices)
Expositions, seminars and workshops
Reporting processes, publications and newsletters
Staff linkages, exchange visits etc.
What potential exists for larger councils to mentor smaller councils?
City of Windhoek, example, has been mentoring smaller towns, they can do the same way with gender issues.
Eenhana Town Council is currently linked with Oshikuku and Ruacana towns and our role is to share our experience and knowledge.

10. 5. Gathering Evidence
How can monitoring and evaluation be strengthened?
Through quarterly reporting
Through Annual Review workshops to take remedial action and deal with shortcomings
Through annual budget cycles

11. End of Presentation!