CSO Calls for Gender-Sensitive Resource Allocation in RISDP Implementation
The call was made by Alice Kanengoni of the Southern Africa Trust at the 4th Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the RISDP in Harare, Zimbabwe, on August 14.
Harare, Zimbabwe-Civil society organizations (CSOs) are calling for gender-sensitive resource allocation in the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, writes Winston Mwale.
The call was made by Alice Kanengoni of the Southern Africa Trust at the 4th Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the RISDP in Harare, Zimbabwe, on August 14.
Kanengoni said that while the RISDP recognizes the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment, there is a need to ensure that resources are allocated in a way that addresses the specific needs of women and girls.
"We know that HIV and AIDS, for instance, has not affected all social groups in the same way," Kanengoni said.
"We know that young people have been the most impacted, and that even among young people, young women have been carrying the majority of the burden."
Kanengoni argued that resources should be allocated with this reality in mind, so that those who are most impacted receive the support they need.
She also challenged CSOs to think about resources in a "nuanced manner," taking into account the specific needs of different groups, such as women and girls, youth, and people with disabilities.
"We need to shift the way we think about policy options, and consider options that are nuanced in a gender lens and feminist lens," Kanengoni said.
"This will allow us to make real progress on gender equality."
Kanengoni also emphasized the importance of clear and effective processes for implementing the RISDP, and called for CSOs to be involved in these processes.
"The processes through which you develop and implement a strategy are equally important as the content of the strategy itself," Kanengoni said.
"We need to ensure that these processes are enabling and that they allow for the effective participation of CSOs."
Kanengoni's remarks were made in response to a presentation by Rangairai Machemedze of the Southern Africa Trust on the implementation of the RISDP, which highlighted the challenges and achievements in the areas of health, agriculture, and education.