Open Letter to Local Authorities.Women and children are the poorest of the poor. Women work as subsistence subsistence, n the state of being supported or remaining alive with a minimum of essentials. farmers, domestic workers and in the informal economy, many of them as single parents with little support from the fathers of their children. They hold families and communities together in the face of poverty, escalating domestic violence and HIV/Aids. The Namibian Women's Manifesto MANIFESTO. A solemn declaration, by the constituted authorities of a nation, which contains the reasons for its public acts towards another. 2. On the declaration of war, a manifesto is usually issued in which the nation declaring the war, states the reasons Network has called on political parties and associations to study the National Gender Policy and the international instruments for gender equality equality Generally, an ideal of uniformity in treatment or status by those in a position to affect either. Acknowledgment of the right to equality often must be coerced from the advantaged by the disadvantaged. Equality of opportunity was the founding creed of U.S. signed by our government. Political parties must have policies to implement these agreements at local level. Following the May 14 elections we will call on Local Authorities to work towards gender equality and the empowerment em·pow·er tr.v. em·pow·ered, em·pow·er·ing, em·pow·ers 1. To invest with power, especially legal power or official authority. See Synonyms at authorize. 2. of women in our towns and villages in the following ways: The Development of Gender Policies All Local Councils must use the tool of gender analysis to develop gender policies. This should be done in consultation with the local community to ensure that all development and service delivery strategies are gender sensitive and result in gender equality in the community. The Establishment of Gender Desks All Local Councils must establish structures such as gender desks or committees to oversee the implementation of the gender policy, and mechanisms for community participation in the monitoring and evaluation of progress. Gender Budgeting All Local Councils must use the tool of gender budgeting to ensure equitable equitable adj. 1) just, based on fairness and not legal technicalities. 2) refers to positive remedies (orders to do something, not money damages) employed by the courts to solve disputes or give relief. (See: equity) EQUITABLE. distribution of resources to all citizens as well as to correct past imbalances. Beyond this, the Namibian Women's Manifesto Network calls on local councils to: * Develop and implement programmes to eliminate poverty * Promote the economic independence of women * Provide access to affordable housing and land * Provide affordable and safe childcare facilities * Combat violence against women and children * Support prevention programmes and the provision of treatment and care for people living with HIV/Aids * Promote reproductive re·pro·duc·tive adj. 1. Of or relating to reproduction. 2. Tending to reproduce. reproductive subserving or pertaining to reproduction. and sexual health and rights of girls and women * Promote access to education and lifelong learning Lifelong learning is the concept that "It's never too soon or too late for learning", a philosophy that has taken root in a whole host of different organisations. Lifelong learning is attitudinal; that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors. * Promote the equal sharing of domestic responsibilities between men and women. |
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