Public Dialogue: Reflections on Women’s Political Participation in Southern Africa, and Lessons Learned ahead of the 2023 Elections in Zimbabwe in pursuit of consensus toward SADC action – 1 Sept 2022

On Thursday the 1st of September, the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO), hosted a virtual public dialogue: Reflections on Women’s Political Participation in Southern Africa, and Lessons Learned ahead of the 2023 Elections in Zimbabwe in pursuit of consensus toward SADC action

This dialogue aimed to bring together civil society and activists from the region, in particular women,  to share their experiences in their relevant countries with the region, especially in the backdrop of the forthcoming 2023 general election in Zimbabwe. 

Recent elections in Kenya, Angola, the 2021 Zambia general election and the 2020 Malawi Presidential election can be used to draw lessons from, in the run-up to the elections in Zimbabwe in 2023. From these experiences, the dialogue aimed to better inform both policymakers and civil society on the lived experiences of women in the region in the lead-up to 2023. 

Through SALO’s consensus-building approach, this dialogue aimed to build national and regional consensus toward positive action by SADC ahead of the 2023 elections in Zimbabwe, in line with the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

Watch here: https://fb.watch/fhHDeFb6QE/

Speakers: 
Safoora Sadek (Chairperson of ANC Gaby Shapiro Branch);
Stabile Dewa (from Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence in Zimbabwe);
Virginia Muwanigwa (Executive Secretary for Zim Gender Commission);
Babra Ontibile Bhebe (Executive Director, Election Resource Centre in Zimbabwe); and
Meamande Wamukwamba (Programs Manager, Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network).

Moderator: 
Busisiwe Nxumalo (SALO)