New Database Additions  Short Summary Title SADC Protocol on Gender and Development (in English, French and Portuguese) Author Southern African Development Community Publication Date August 2008 Publisher Gender Links Summary Leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) signed this binding Protocol on Gender and Development in August 2008. Drafted by the SADC Gender Unit and NGO Alliance with support from UNIFEM, the objective of the Protocol is 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”. The Protocol Articles are grouped under eight headings: constitutional and legal rights; governance; education and training; productive resources and employment; gender-based violence; health and HIV/AIDS; peace building and conflict resolution; and media, information and communication. There are 23 set targets, including that women will hold 50 percent of decision-making positions in the public and private sectors by 2015. Other key targets include ensuring that provisions for gender equality are contained in all constitutions and include affirmative action clauses, halving gender-based violence, and abolishing the legal minority status of women enshrined in many of the member states' constitutions based on the dual legal systems that recognise customary law. The Protocol also calls for stepping up prevention, treatment and support of those affected and infected with HIV and AIDS, and access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in the event of sexual assault. A section on 'final provisions' includes sections on remedies, institutional arrangements, and implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Also available in French at: http://www.genderlinks.org.za/attachment_view.php?pa_id=622 And in Portuguese at: http://www.genderlinks.org.za/attachment_view.php?pa_id=623 For more information on the protocol go to: http://www.genderlinks.org.za/page.php?p_id=265 Complete Document http://www.genderlinks.org.za/attachment_view.php?pa_id=614&PHPSESSID=abda5bab6bda61466a22aca18a72eb3e