The 2016 Consolidated Text of the Protocol on Gender and Development is a consolidation of the following texts: 1. The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, 2008. 2. The Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, 2016. This edition of the Consolidated Text of the Protocol on Gender and Development replaces the 2008 edition. For the purposes of this Protocol, the following principles shall apply: a) State Parties shall harmonize national legislation, policies, strategies and programmes with relevant regional and international instruments related to the empowerment of women and girls for the purpose of ensuring gender equality and equity; b) State Parties shall decide all matters relating to the implementation of this Protocol by consensus; and c) State Parties shall cooperate in facilitating the development of human, technical and financial capacity for the implementation of this Protocol. The objectives of this Protocol are: (a) to provide for the empowerment of women, to eliminate discrimination and to achieve gender equality and equity through the development and implementation of gender responsive legislation, policies, programmes and projects; (b) to harmonize the implementation of the various instruments to which SADC Member States have subscribed to at the regional, continental and international levels on gender equality and equity or any other legal instruments that may be relevant to this Protocol, in order to accelerate implementation; (c) to address emerging gender issues and concerns; (d) to set realistic, measurable targets, time frames and indicators for achieving gender equality and equity; (e) to strengthen, monitor and evaluate the progress made by Member States towards reaching the targets and goals set out in this Protocol; and (f) to deepen regional integration, attain sustainable development and strengthen community building. State Parties shall put in place special measures with particular reference to women in order to eliminate all barriers which prevent them from participating meaningfully in all spheres of life and create a conducive environment for such participation.
2016-01-01