By Patience Gondo
Gender Links Zimbabwe (GLZ) is gearing up to host the 2025 SADC Gender Protocol @Work Summit and Awards, an annual national gathering that has become one of the country’s biggest platforms for measuring real, lived progress in gender equality and inclusive local economic development.
The event slated for 26–28 November 2025, will bring together more than 60 local authorities, government ministries, civil society organisations and media practitioners to showcase models of change transforming communities across Zimbabwe.
Speaking ahead of the indaba, GLZ Country Manager Priscilla Maposa said this year’s theme “Taking stock of gender responsive budgeting and local economic development initiatives in Zimbabwe” captures the spirit of accountability and evidence based impact that the Summit has built over the years.
“This Summit is not about speeches it is about proof,” Maposa said.
“We want to see how councils and communities are changing lives through gender responsive planning, stronger local economies, and inclusive leadership. These stories, backed by evidence, are what will represent Zimbabwe at the regional SADC Summit.”
The gathering also serves as the national qualifier for the SADC Regional Gender Protocol @Work Summit, which recognises outstanding contributions toward the SADC Gender Protocol and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Over the years, Zimbabwe has consistently dominated the regional competition, largely due to its expanding network of Councils of Excellence that have institutionalised gender mainstreaming.
This year’s Zimbabwe Summit will feature competitive showcases across key categories including Gender Responsive Budgeting, Local Economic Development (LED), Institutional Centres of Excellence, Entrepreneurship, Youth Empowerment, Leadership (Drivers of Change), Media Excellence and thematic projects on Climate Justice, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
One of the most anticipated categories Leadership/Drivers of Change will honour councillors who have championed the SADC Gender Protocol in their communities.
Maposa said the category often reveals powerful human-interest stories of transformation, from women councillors breaking long standing barriers in male dominated councils to local leaders using data-driven planning to improve service delivery.
“These are leaders who did not wait for national policy to catch up,” she said.
“They pushed for fair representation, safer communities, and budgets that work for everyone especially women and youth.”
The Entrepreneurship and LED categories will highlight flagship enterprises from GLZ’s Promoting Gender-Inclusive Local Economic Development programme, currently being implemented in councils such as Beitbridge Municipality, Bulawayo City, Kadoma City, Kariba Municipality, Makoni RDC, Manyame RDC, Masvingo City, Murewa RDC, Mutare City, Umguza RDC and Zibagwe RDC.
Beneficiaries from these areas are expected to showcase innovations ranging from clean energy start-ups and waste management initiatives to horticulture projects and locally produced arts and crafts.
Junior councillors will also take centre stage under the Youth Empowerment category, presenting projects that amplify young voices in governance. GLZ says this is crucial as Zimbabwe works to increase youth leadership in decision-making spaces.
“If we don’t intentionally equip young people today, we delay national development by a generation,” Maposa added.
For the media category, journalists trained by GLZ will compete using stories that spotlight local economic development, women’s leadership, gender-responsive budgeting and other gender mainstreaming successes at local level.
The Summit’s broader objective, organisers say, is to gather solid case studies that document progress, challenges and emerging best practices.
It will also provide space for councils to learn from one another, strengthen their gender policies and refine systems that support the institutionalisation of gender equality.
The SADC Gender Protocol adopted in 2008 sets out commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights across the Southern African region.
Zimbabwe has been one of the leading implementers, with the GLZ-supported Centres of Excellence model helping councils translate the Protocol into practical action at community level.
As preparations intensify, Maposa encouraged stakeholders to participate and submit entries.
“This is our opportunity as a country to show the region what is working,” she said.
“Every case study, every innovation and every voice contributes to building a Zimbabwe where equality is not just policy it is practice.”
For more information, stakeholders can contact Priscilla Maposa at +263 772 735 722 or email zimmanager@genderlinks.org.za.