Gender Policy and Governance Highlights in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe 2024

SADC PROTOCOL@WORK SUMMITS AND AWARDS 2024 INSTITUTIONAL COE (Zimbabwe, Kwekwe City Council, 07 NOVEMBER 2024) Presented by: SLYVIA B. KARIMBIKA .

OVERVIEW ZIMBABWE KWEKWE DR. L. MKANDHLA SLYVIA B. KARIMBIKA COUNTRY COUNCIL GENDER CHAMPION GENDER FOCAL PERSON CITY OF KWEKWE IS A SPOKE Latest score (year) (81%) 2024 Women Men Total % Women Council 296 692 1149 25.76 Management 4 11 15 26.66 Council staff overall 300 703 1164 25.77 Population served Key characteristics Mining, farming and clean portable water

I. GENDER POLICY, ACTION PLAN, HUB AND SPOKE There is a gender policy and action plan that incorporates the Post 2015 SADC Gender Protocol, SDGs and other relevant targets The Gender Policy has a high profile Champion within Council.

I. GENDER POLICY, ACTION PLAN, HUB AND SPOKE Council has had a Hub and Spoke meeting with other urban and rural Councils. In one of the meetings, we discussed on challenges that are being faced by Councils regarding gender committees. Hub and Spoke meetings are conducted quarterly.

II. GOVERNANCE Council has a female Town Clerk and Director of Finance Council has a female Town Clerk Council has 4 female Councillors out of the total of 18 Councillors. ( 0 were elected, the 4 are from the Women Quota) Council has 6 Committees Only 1 Committee is Chaired by a woman. No Committee is chaired by PWD. Women/ youth/ PWD participate in council consultations and decision-making by attending budget consultative meetings, wadco meeting and other district development committee meetings.

III. WORK PLACE POLICY AND PRACTICE How gender sensitive is the workplace? Provide examples. The proportion of the workforce for women employed by Council is 25.76. Council has also employed women in non traditional areas of decision making. Council employs two PWDs. Council makes use of the Code of Conduct and the Labour Act when dealing with sexual harassment issues. When dealing with sexual harassment issues, the victim presents his or her case to the supervisor, investigations are carried out and disciplinary action is taken depending on the circumstances. Women- Men Total % women Managers Staff Total Managers Staff Tota Manage Staf Total l rs f Full Time 4 216 220 11 569 580 800 27% 29 29% % Casual 0 80 80 0 123 123 203 Outsourced 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Overall 4 296 300 11 692 703 1023 27 29 29

IV. LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Council has a local economic development plan or projects that target women, PWD, and youth entrepreneurs. Council has market places designed for vendors and other entrepreneurs. Market stands allocated to women 37.82%, men 31.78 , PWD 6.66 and youth 23.72 on an equal opportunity basis. Council does not have entrepreneurship finance schemes linked to it, that benefit women, men, people living with disability, and youth. Council has MOUs with various organisations such as Plan, Cafmed, Save the Soul Foundation, Women Affairs, Department of Social Development and the DDC. Council allocates tenders to both men and women owned businesses. 50% of the tenders were allocated to women in 2023.

V. INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Land and housing Sex disaggregated data of land allocations for council & community beneficiaries. Sex disaggregated data for housing allocations Water and sanitation Council has the water committees? Types of water and sanitation projects that Council has include: 1. servicing of Mbizo 18 stands 2. Mbizo 15 Water and sewer upgrade 3. rehabilitation of water filter beds. 4. Refurbishment of public toilets 5. Refurbishment of the farmers markets Council offers land to both women and men. However, men have a greater number compared to women. . Housing Allocations Proportion (%) Number Women 9 34.61 Men 17 65.38 Total 26 100 Water Committees Number Chairpersons of Water Committees Vice Chairpersons of water committees 1 Women 3 1 Men 4 1 1 Total 7 2 2

VI. SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, HIV AND AIDS Council promotes SRHR in schools in the following ways: 1. Educational talks to school children 2. Outreaches and campaigns 3. Emergency contraception is given Yes, women, men, people living with disabilities, and youth have equal access to treatment in all Council health facilities. Council ensured that health/SRHR facilities are more accessible to these groups through the following ways: 1. Clinics are easily accessible in the community 2. Sign language was introduced and there are trained personnel to cater for the deaf and dumb. Council encourages and supports Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) in schools through: 1. school visits 2. adolescents groups meeting at Council Youth Centre

VII. GENDER BASED VIOLENCE Key actions council has taken towards: Prevention street lights and tower lights are installed within the city Public awareness Council participates in campaigns to raise awareness on gender. Response and coordination- Council works in coordination with the ZRP in cases of GBV. Support and empowerment- Council offers Counselling services at all clinics and also partners with local NGOs to assist the victims of GBV. Include evidence here

VIII. CLIMATE JUSTICE Council does not have a Climate Change Policy. Examples of women, PWD, and youth are equally involved in projects that prevent climate change such as waste management, sustainable energy and recycling and benefit from economic opportunities arising from this. Council takes part in National Clean up campaigns and other campaigns initiated by local organisations.

IX. GENDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Council has a Gender Champion, Gender Focal Person and Gender Committee members. Yes, Council s Gender Action Plan aligned to the Council s strategic plan. Gender is written into the job descriptions of key functionaries. Council evaluates gender through reports, minutes and audits that are carried out.

X. GENDER RESPONSIVE BUDGETING Yes, Council submitted an entry in the GRB category. The Council has drawn up a Gender Responsive Budget statement as per Ministry Guidelines. The document is in place. Key highlights are: 1. Gender specific projects 2. Employment equity 3. Allocations against earmarked projects 4. Gender sensitive expenditure issues/strategies. A photo of Ward Development Committee members, Councillors and Management.

CHALLENGES Meeting regularly as the hub and spoke has been a challenge Many people still consider gender as something meant for women only. Approaching different groups and trying to explain what gender is all about. Negativity n the part of men towards gender issues.

LESSON LEARNED AND INNOVATION City of Kwekwe has learnt from the look and learn, through having these meetings in other local authorities in the COE, hub and spoke process. Gender projects to be fully supported as these are budgeted for in the GRB Statement Having regular Gender support meetings, as these will help support more issues through monitoring and evaluation.

SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION How the COE, hub and spoke work be sustained within City of Kwekwe Working with developmental organisations Community focal persons Supporting more gender specific projects through GRB Putting in place departmental focal persons Roping in other members of the community More hub and spoke meetings