• Article 5 (1) (k) of the SADC Treaty that was adopted in 1992 recognizes mainstreaming of gender as one of SADC’s objectives.
• The Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan outlines nine targets which are aimed at empowerment of women.
• SADC has developed a number of legislation, policies, strategies, and programs to ensure that the targets are achieved.

Southern African Development Community (SADC) says it has remained committed to promoting gender equality and women empowerment since its establishment.
SADC Executive Secretary Dr. Stergomena Tax said Article 5 (1) (k) of the SADC Treaty that was adopted in 1992 recognizes mainstreaming of gender as one of SADC’s objectives and an integral process of community building.
Dr. Tax noted the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan outlines nine targets which are aimed at empowerment of women, elimination of all forms of discrimination and to achieve gender equality.
She highlighted that SADC has developed a number of legislation, policies, strategies, and programs to ensure that the targets are achieved.
“Regional Multi-Dimensional Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme: This promotes women’s economic empowerment and gender-responsive development in order to contribute to social inclusion and justice by 2030,” Dr. Tax said.
Dr. Tax revealed that the implementation is ongoing across Member States and, “the programme aims to promote women’s economic empowerment and gender-responsive development in order to contribute to social inclusion and justice by 2030.”