Women celebrate signing of SADC Protocol on Gender and Development

The Protocol is a unique sub-regional instrument initially adopted in 2008 with 28 time bound targets that were aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). When addressing the media on Monday, Gender Links board member Ntombi Setshwaelo explained that in August 2016, the SADC heads of states adopted the revised protocol that now brings together the SDGs, African Union Agenda 2063 and the Beijing Platform of Action Plus Twenty. Setshwaelo added that the review of the protocol in 2015 paved way for the country to sign the protocol.

“This instrument is exceptional. It is the only one in the world that can promote gender equality. SADC protocol on Gender and Development was adopted and signed in 2008 by SADC heads of State. The Protocol declared the objective of eradication of gender inequality by 2015. Essentially, it embodies all the provisions of legal instruments and treaties pertaining to gender issues. All member states have ratified the protocol, with the exception of Botswana and Mauritius,” she said.