INSIGHT. SADC Ministers of Gender endorse Road Map for Ratifi cation of Protocol on Gender and Development. About the ECA-SA Office.

Transcription

1 E C A - S A Economic Commission for Africa Issue 13, June 2010 About the Office The Economic Commission for Africa, Southern Africa Office () is one of the five ECA subregional offices (SROs) serving as vital links between policyoriented analytical work generated at headquarters and policy making at the subregional level. The office monitors the evolution of regional integration in support of the African Union Commission s regional integration agenda with a special focus on activities vital to the regional integration process. It seeks to strengthen capacity and provide technical assistance to institutions driving the regional integration agenda most importantly SADC and COMESA. The Office undertakes subregional preparation on programmes addressing Africa s special needs and emerging global challenges such as the MDGs, and spearheads subregional follow-up of global conferences. The Office also serves as a sub regional hub for the dissemination of ECA s policy analytical work-employing extensive public information and outreach activities including workshops, training and publication of the quarterly newsletter. Mission Statement To Leverage on our multidisplinary analytical skills, convening power and consensus building strength to facilitate the harmonisation of policies and strategies for harnessing regional resources to meet the development priorities of the Southern Africa Subregion SADC Ministers of Gender endorse Road Map for Ratifi cation of Protocol on Gender and Development By Keiso Matashane-Marite, Economic Affairs Offi cer SADC Ministers responsible for Gender and Women s Affairs met in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on 19 June The Ministers meeting was preceded by that of senior officials on June The Meeting discussed the SADC Regional Gender Programme and reviewed progress made by member States towards promoting gender equality and women s empowerment. Challenges derailing gender and development efforts in the SADC region and recommendations towards resolutions were discussed. This meeting followed a historic adoption of Gender and Development Protocol by SADC Heads of State and Government in their Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa in August The Protocol contains all gender equality and women s empowerment commitments made by SADC member States at global, continental and sub-regional levels. It sets clear targets to be achieved by the Southern African region in order to attain the Millennium Development Goals by The protocol has also outlined policy, constitutional and legal measures to be followed by member States to close gender gaps, achieve gender equality, empower women, and in addressing systemic (socio-cultural, legal, constitutional and economic) barriers that restrict women s economic empowerment and enjoyment of human rights. To-date, the Protocol has been signed by 13 of the 15 SADC member States, (Botswana and Mauritius have not yet signed the protocol) and only ratified by three member States (Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania). Member States reports indicated that most countries are at advanced stages towards ratification of the Protocol. The meeting underscored the urgency of ratifying the Protocol by all State Parties in order to ensure enforcement. Ministers adopted a clear roadmap towards ratification of the Protocol by August The road map will assist member States to up-scale efforts towards presentation of the protocol to respective Parliaments, to get the necessary parliamentary approval in compliance with constitutional requirements, and, thereafter, to deposit ratification papers with the SADC Secretariat ahead of its Summit to be held in August 2010, in Windhoek, Namibia. The Office serves the following SADC countries : Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

2 INSIGHT E C A - S A INSIGHT 2 Issue 13, June 2010 DRC Deputy Prime Minister, Right Hon. Simon Bulupy Galati, flanked by SADC Ministers of Gender & Women s Affairs, and their representatives. The meeting was officially opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and attended by Ministers of Gender and representatives from the Republic of Angola,the Democratic Republic of Congo,the Kingdom of Lesotho,the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Zimbabwe. Also in attendance were the representatives of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Ministers acknowledged the support ECA has provided to SADC Gender Secretariat especially towards development of the SADC Gender and Development Protocol Monitoring Tool endorsed for operation in The tool was cleared for use by member States to monitor progress made in implementing the SADC Gender and Development Protocol. The Ministers noted with appreciation, efforts currently underway by ECA and SADC secretariat to pilot the use of the tool in DRC, Swaziland, Seychelles and Zambia. The meeting noted that the Southern African region is making progress towards achieving women s empowerment and gender equality goals in different areas. This is despite the fact that member States are at different stages of implementing gender equality commitments. The Ministers resolved to submit proposals to the SADC 2010 Summit to direct member States to reinforce the implementation of the 2005 decision to ensure 50:50 representation of women in political and other decision making positions.the Ministers noted with concern that most member States that held elections in 2009 had regressed significantly in the representation of women in Parliament and Cabinet positions. This marked a reversal of the gains made over the past years. The meeting recommended that member States should put in place conducive policy environment and electoral systems accompanied by legislated quotas and other effective strategies well ahead of elections to ensure the attainment of gender parity target of 50% by The meeting also noted significant progress made with regards to integrating gender into national level sectors,

3 INSIGHT E C A - S A INSIGHT 3 Issue 13, June 2010 L-R Head of SADC Gender Unit, Ms Magdeline Mathiba-Madibela ; Minister of Gender and Child Welfare, Namibia Hon. Doreen Sioka; Ministre du Genre Da Famille et L enfant, DRC, Hon. Marie Ange Lukiana Mufwankolo; Head of Branches, Department of Women,Children and Persons with Disabilities,Children and Persons with Disabilities, Republic of South Africa, Ms Mbangiseni Dzivhani; and Secretary General, Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, DRC,Ms Jacqueline Lofulo, at the DRC meeting. Recent Events in particular: Economic Planning, Finance and Budgets, Open and Distance Learning, and Communicable Diseases (HIV and AIDS, Malaria and TB). In this regard, the Ministers committed to strengthen their efforts to coordinate gender mainstreaming activities and to build the skills of other sectors to integrate gender in their respective policies and programmes. The meeting endorsed the Business Plan and Strategic Framework and Programme of Action for comprehensive Care and Support for Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth. 1. Experts discuss Costs, Benefits Regional Infrastructure and Services T of he United Nations Economic Commission for Africa s Southern Africa Office (), in collaboration with the Southern African

4 INSIGHT 4 Issue 13, June 2010 Development Community (SADC), organized an Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on the Cost Benefit Analysis of Regional Infrastructure and Services in Lilongwe, Malawi on March The objective of the Meeting was to provide guidance on the preparation of a technical publication commissioned by on Regional Infrastructure Costs and Benefits in Southern Africa. The publication, which will be in the form of an analytical framework for establishing regional infrastructure costs and benefits, will serve as a knowledge resource for assessing the key issues and challenges facing regional cooperation in developing regional infrastructure. Based on up-to-date data and methodology, the framework is intended to deliver effective policy advice and guidance to facilitate countries investment in regional infrastructure projects. The meeting was attended by representatives of SADC member States, a number of private and nongovernmental organizations, regional organizations, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the consultants contracted by to develop the analytical framework. The Meeting recommended that the proposed cost benefit methodology be designed to gauge and factor in the implications of key institutional and economic realities that the SADC secretariat, SADC institutions and Member States face in their quest for regional infrastructure development, including the likely need to expand relevant SADC institutions mandates to effectively drive regional infrastructure development, the challenges of resource mobilisation at the regional and national levels and the need to mainstream gender in infrastructure development. A number of recommendations specific to the water and power sectors were also made. A working group was established to assist the consultants in the finalisation of the study. Members of the working Group include the Bureau of the meeting, and experts from the DBSA, South Africa s Department of Water Affairs, South Africa s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and South Africa s electricity company ESKOM. The Working Group will be supported by the Secretariat in its work. 2. -SADC Strategy Framework validated and approved for adoption by SADC ICT Ministers The development of the e-sadc Strategy Framework was undertaken as part of the e-sadc Initiative in the context of the SADC-UNECA Multi-year programme where SADC ICT work is guided by the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology, the SADC ICT Declaration and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and UNECA work by the African Information Society Initiative (AISI). The main objectives of the development of the e-sadc Strategy were to harmonise and standardise among others, the promotion of ICT usage for regional economic integration; enhancement of connectivity for access to ICT services among and within SADC member States; development of applications including e-government, e-commerce, e-education, e-health, e-agriculture, etc.; as well as addressing of policy, legislation, regulation, human and financial resources. Prior to the validation workshop that took place in Lesotho from April 2010, the e-sadc Initiative had been launched in Botswana in October Whilst the launch established the methodology for data collection and analysis and addressed challenges and constraints including the opportunities in promotion of ICT development as well as examined whether the SADC region was e-ready, the validation workshop reviewed the structure of the e-sadc strategy report, content details, relevance of the strategic goals, objectives and priorities in order to strengthen the report. The validation workshop restructured the report to ensure that the ICT Strategy Framework was submitted for adoption by ICT Ministers Conference held from May 2010 in Luanda, Angola. The validation workshop was held from the April 2010 in Maseru, Lesotho and was attended by representatives from the following member States: Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Intergovernmental Organisations that were represented included the African Union (AU), the New Partnership for Africa (NEPAD) e-africa Commission, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Postal Operators Association (SAPOA), Communications Regulatory Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) and SADC. The private sector was representation by Microsoft. The report is supposed to be finalised by end of July The workshop s central focus was on the following priority areas of the SADC region: providing an inclusive policy, legal and

5 Recent Events INSIGHT Some of the e-sadc Strategy Framework Validation workshop participants. regulatory environment for an ICT culture; development of the ICT infrastructure and services; investment in human resources development; development of e-application including e-government; development and ICT in business; and, increasing usage of ICT business. 3. Workshops on The Role of Members of Parliament in building an Inclusive Information Society towards Accelerating the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) INSIGHT 5 Issue 13, June 2010 Although the above SADC priorities were presented to the workshop as pillars where each pillar had goals and actions to be undertaken, the workshop recommended that the document be restructured around themes where each theme will have strategic objectives with actions stipulated under each objective. The following themes were recommended: Theme 1: Enabling the delivery of ICT services; Theme 2: E-applications and innovations; and Theme 3: Governance of the e-sadc Strategy. The workshop recommended that more improvements be made on the document and supporting data updated before submission to the SADC ICT Ministers for adoption. The workshop also recommended a methodology of submission of data that is shared among data collection agencies. The e-sadc Strategy Framework was thereafter submitted to the Conference of SADC ministers responsible for Telecommunications, Postal and ICT which took place in Luanda, Angola from May 2010 where it was adopted. IIn response to the parliament of the Kingdom of Swaziland s request for assistance in developing an ICT Master Plan, the in collaboration with the ICT, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) convened a two day workshop for members of Parliament (MPs) to sensitise them on their role in building an inclusive Information Society. The workshop was held from May 2010 in Mbabane, Swaziland and was attended by more than 20 MPs and Senators including the President of the Senate and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. A selected number of staff from Parliament and the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology were also in attendance. The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the MP s understanding of their vital role in supporting the implementation of the national ICT policy and strategies through the creation of and strengthening the ICT Committee function in the parliament. Welcoming the participants, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Esther Dlamini noted that although the topic of ICT was intimidating and has been relegated to the bottom of agendas, it has nevertheless persistently emerged as a major influence in everyone s life and in the development of nations. She encouraged

6 INSIGHT E C A - S A INSIGHT The Ministry of ICT presented an overview of Swaziland ICT status, policy and current and future trends and the consultant for developing the ICT Master Plan presented the overview of the Parliament ICT status. 6 In order to assist the parliament of the Kingdom of Swaziland decide on instituting an ICT Committee within Parliament, sample Terms of Reference were provided to assist in decision making. The workshop was informed that the objective of an ICT Committee within the parliament is to create an environment conducive Participants of the Swaziland MPs workshop to the effective engagement of the parliament and MP s in the process of building an inclusive the MPs and Senators to be leaders in ICTs and not Information/knowledge society. followers. The Botswana workshop was held at Mokolodi Nature Reserve The representative of ECA, Dr. Sizo Mhlanga in Gaborone from June The workshop was organised concurred with the Deputy Speaker and emphasised the by the in collaboration with the ISTD division of ECA importance of ICTs and HQ in response to Botswana Parliament request for technical demonstrated how ICTs have become a significant strategic tool in developed and developing countries for promoting competiveness and stimulating economic growth in addition to lowering public service costs in all sectors. He reaffirmed ECA s resolve to empower MP s and staff of Parliament in the use of ICT tools in order to gain adequate knowledge on Information Society issues for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Issue 13, June 2010 Other presentations demonstrated the linkage between ICT applications and meaningful development. A perspective of how ICTs can be harnessed to promote gender equality was given to the workshop including an overview of the SADC Initiative. Participants of the Botswana MPs workshop

7 assistance in developing its ICT Master Plan. SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) also provided technical support to the workshop and made a presentation on the global and regional perspective of ICT programmes in parliaments, the modalities of moving towards harmonised model ICT legislative responsive to the dynamic growth of the ICT sectors as well as the topic on the role of parliamentarians in facilitating the establishment of an enabling policy and regulatory environment supporting the use of ICTs. The workshop which was opened by the Speaker of National Assembly, Honourable Dr. Margaret Nasha was attended by over 40 MPs and staff of parliament responsible for ICT. In welcoming the participants on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Director of the Southern Africa Office, Mr. Munorweyi Dhliwayo outlined its objectives as: to familiarise the MPs with ECA s mandate for building the Information Society and strengthen the role of parliament as well as to actively involve them to participate in the processes of e-strategies. Mr. Dhliwayo elaborated that one important objective of the workshop was to involve the MPs in the development of the ICT Master Plan which is under process, in order for them to undertake effective oversight during the implementation of the plan. The Ministry of Communications and Transport provided the workshop with a review of Botswana s ICT status, policies and future trends. Botswana Telecommunications Authority provided the workshop with an overview of the ICT status including challenges and future trends with a view to enhance understanding of the ICT environment in the country. An overview of the Botswana Parliament ICT status and the draft ICT Master Plan was presented to the workshop to further increase the understanding of ICT environment in the Parliament. In addition, National Assembly of Zambia presented as a case study of its ICT Master Plan to reinforce the role of parliamentarians in providing oversight to national strategies. development within parliament through the formation of an ICT Committee in Botswana Parliament. 4., DBSA Collaborate on Study Harnessing Domestic Resource Mobilization for Regional Development The and the DBSA are jointly preparing an in-depth regional study on domestic resource mobilization whose findings will feed into, inter alia, innovative regional policy interventions for raising domestic resources for development. The study forms part of ongoing efforts to operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding the DBSA and ECA signed several years ago. The choice of the topic stems from an ICE meeting s request for the two organizations to embark on such a study against the backdrop of recent global economic crisis, which exposed the subregion s over-reliance on foreign markets for trade. Efforts to harness better the subregion s resources seek to further reduce an over-dependence on foreign investments and funding for development, as well as advance the regional integration agenda. In brief, additional to examining the various resources (human, natural and financial) Southern Africa has, the study will go further by looking at country experiences in order to gauge how individual member States are utilising resources as a means of deepening, broadening and expediting their development. On the basis of its findings, the study will provide practical lessons and solutions to overcome political, financial, and other capacity bottlenecks to a better management and harvesting of the subregion s resources. As it does so, it will further provide a framework for coordinating action among national, subregional, continental and the international stakeholders in the mobilization of resources for the subregion s development. The two organisations expect to complete the study by end Upcoming Events INSIGHT 7 Issue 13, June 2010 Finally, the Terms of Reference of an ICT Committee in parliaments were well received by the workshop which agreed to take necessary steps to institutionalise ICT for

8 1. Ad hoc expert group meeting on Harmonised Security Framework for the Mineral Products of the SADC region Within the context of the Multi Year Programme on the harmonisation of mining policies in the region, the office has been working with the SADC Secretariat to implement the Mining Protocol signed by SADC Heads of State that came into force in February An Implementation Plan, to operationalise the Framework on Harmonisation of Mining Policies, Standards, Legislative and Regulatory Framework in Southern Africa was developed and approved by SADC Mining Ministers in November As part of the work on aligning mining policies, regulations and administrative frameworks, the SADC member States have requested the Office to develop a security framework for the major minerals produced in the SADC region. The has commissioned a study to develop a comprehensive system for tracking and certifying SADC mineral products, from mining and processing sites through to their sale and export. It is envisaged that the system will promote ethical mining practice and good governance through transparent declarations of production and export figures. This should result in increased levels of revenue collected by the SADC member States from the mineral sector. The main output of the study will be a report containing comprehensive proposals for a SADC-wide mineral tracking and certification system with suggestions for implementing the system. The proposals will be presented to a SADC Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in September The report along with recommendations from the EGM will be further presented to the SADC Mining Ministers Meeting for approval in November Seminar on Enhancing the Effectiveness of Food Security Information Systems (FSIS) in the SADC Subregion TThe recurrence and magnitude of food crises in Southern Africa underscore the need to improve prevention and response mechanisms to address the determinants and dynamic nature of food insecurity, at both national and regional levels. The strong upward trends and increased variability in global food prices over the past two years have led to concern about the lack of sufficient information to gauge the likely effects of global food crises on SADC countries and to identify, design, and implement policy actions to best avoid risks and take advantage of opportunities.on SADC countries and to identify, design, and implement policy actions to best avoid risks and take advantage of opportunities. The SADC Food Security Summit held in Dar es Salaam in 2004 emphasised the need to strengthen national early warning systems; enhance vulnerability monitoring capabilities; and develop a Regional Integrated Agricultural Information System to enhance agricultural development and sustainable food security in the subregion. Food security information is provided through a myriad of sources operated by governments, donors, multilaterals and NGOs in Southern Africa. Designers and implementers of FSIS need to enhance the credibility of the information through a process of consultation and coordination. Clear communication strategy and capacity building will allow policy makers understand how the information is derived and analysis undertaken. While mainly focusing on food supply, FSIS in the SADC region lack information about underlying livelihoods and assets, longer-term vulnerability analysis and poverty monitoring. They are still weak in terms of collecting, packaging and disseminating information about people s ability to gain access to food, as well as the availability of food. There are concerns about the accuracy and reliability of some data. Linkages of FSIS to trade policy and private sector decision-makers are poor. This limits the potential for private sector mitigation activities and response to disasters. The paucity of data on costs of FSIS and their various components constitutes a severe constraint on financial planning and sustainability. The lack of coordination has led to duplication/wastage, lack of standardisation of information and confusion for decision makers. The Food Security Early Warning Systems (FEWS), as a major component of FSIS in SADC, are heavily dependent on external resources and orientated to climatic shocks. They are almost always aimed at monitoring rural populations despite rapidly increasing urban poverty and vulnerability. To assist members States in facing these challenges, and as part of its Multi-Year Programme with SADC, will organise a seminar on Enhancing the Effectiveness of Food Security Information Systems INSIGHT 8 Issue 13, June 2010

9 the SADC Subregion. The seminar will review issues and challenges faced by member States and other stakeholders in developing FSIS and make recommendations to strengthen the production, delivery and consumption of quality agricultural and food security information in the SADC region. Using the findings of the issues paper on Enhancing the Effectiveness of Food Security Information Systems in the SADC Subregion, the seminar will identify methodological, institutional, technological and political issues to consider in defining a strategy to improve the technical quality and scope of analysis provided by the FSIS and evaluate the impact of their interventions. Seminar participants will include agriculture and food security information experts from government institutions and ministries, the private sector, SADC institutions, academia, civil society organisations and others development partners. In organising the seminar, will collaborate with the SADC Secretariat, member States and the Food Security and Sustainable Development Division (FSSD) at ECA Headquarters and other stakeholders. The seminar is scheduled to take place from 6-7 September 2010 in Lusaka, Zambia. Staff News Ms Susan Mokonyana moved to from ECA HQ in March as Senior Programme Officer. She previously worked as Chief HRSS at ECA HQ. Susan moves to Lusaka Frazer leaves Mr Frazer Mwape separated from the ECA at the end of May 2010 after two and half years service as Information Technology Assistant. In his words, Frazer said : I have enjoyed working with all of you and it s been good knowing you all Bedson Nyoni joins Mr Bedson Nyoni has joined as Information Management Assistant. Before joining the office, Bedson worked for the National Aids Council of Zambia. Wilfred off to HQ Wilfred speaking to colleagues at the farewell luncheon held for him while admiring a gift INSIGHT 9 Issue 13, June 2010 June 2010 saw Mr Wilfred Lombe move to ECA HQ on promotion as Chief Infrastructure and Natural Resources Development. Wilfred was the mining expert at the Subregional Office in Lusaka before his promotion. The Economic Commission for Africa, Southern Africa Office (), launches this quarterly newsletter to connect ideas and information to our constituencies. We sincerely hope you will find the information useful and enjoyable. We encourage you to please contact us for any further information regarding. Sincerely, Jennifer Kargbo Director, For this and other publications, please visit the following address or contact: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Southern Africa Office P.O. Box Lusaka, Zambia Tel.: /5 Fax : / srdcsa.uneca@un.org Web: