Meeting in parallel with the Lusaka summit, with the participation of Mozambican first lady, Maria da Luz Guebuza, they committed themselves to advocate for the increase of human and financial resources for the implementation of the SADC objectives, reads their 'Lusaka Declaration', that was submitted to the heads of state on the last day of the summit.
The declaration expresses 'the awareness of the first ladies that decisions related to gender and equity are still far from attaining the targets established by the community, hence they support the signing, as soon as possible, of a protocol on Gender and Development'.
This proposed protocol was to be signed by the summit of heads of state and government, but this could not be because of some reservations posed by representatives from Namibia and Botswana, who said they are still to conduct consultations at national level.
The first ladies' Lusaka Declaration admits that the gains in the promotion of gender equality are being weakened by the threat imposed by HIV/AIDS, globalization, human trafficking, particularly women, and feminization of poverty.
'We commit ourselves to work and make the necessary advocacy to speed up contribution to regional commitments in the area of gender equality, empowerment of women, and development of children', reads the declaration, presented by Zambian first lady, Maureen Mwanawasa.
The document also reiterated the commitment of the first ladies to influence the change of discriminatory legislation at national and regional levels, and mobilize resources with the governments and organizations to create projects of political, economic and social empowerment of women.
The declaration of the SADC First Ladies Summit - 2007 says that they are aware that the gender issue is a critical instrument toward gender integration in the community's action programmes.
During their stay in Lusaka, the first ladies took part in a number of events, including a visit to a children's village, SOS, in the outskirts of Lusaka, cultural activities of Zambian women working in the mining sector, a visit to some people living with HIV/AIDS, among other events.
SOURCE: AIM
