A Gender Mainstreaming Workshop was conducted last November from 26-27 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. PELUM Zimbabwe, being the host, managed to attain the objectives of the workshop despite limited financial resources. The gist of the workshop was to instill gender sensitivity awareness holistically and to ensure effectiveness of policies in all programmes and projects taking into account gender concerns.

Although neophytes in gender mainstreaming activities, 14 member organisations (MOs) who included 6 females and 8 males along with PELUM Zimbabwe Board, successfully discussed the (1) Various tools on gender roles, gender analysis and frameworks for gender mainstreaming (2) Understanding gender mainstreaming in the project cycle (3) Gender mainstreaming in organizational policies or development of a Gender Policy and (4) Action plans.

Open forum after the lectures helped the participants understand the relevance of gender mainstreaming to the organization. The PELUM Board also took the opportunity to convene and confer matters such as PELUM Association’s activities and plans.

The Board thoroughly discussed the (1) Proposed procedure and criteria for selecting PELUM representatives at international meeting/events; (2) TGM and the planning process in PELUM Association; (3) PELUM Association Code of Practice; and resolved some issues pertaining to PELUM Zimbabwe’s organizational situation.

The Board presented to MOs the outcomes of meeting which were well received; hence, final resolution/decision was constructed. The workshop also paved way for the realization of PELUM Zimbabwe’s aim to put into action what they have learned from the workshop, hence, they opted for two women as Board members. 

The gender policy is in the process of being developed and it was agreed that the draft copy be put in place by January 2010. On the other hand, the HIV and AIDS workplace policy for PELUM Zimbabwe is currently in draft form and scheduled for presentation to the Board and MOs.   The workplace policy is expected to be finalised in January 2010 and circulated to MOs for sharing as well as adaptation/adoption.

The majority of participants felt that the workshop was not only timely but relevant as well. PELUM Zimbabwe staff, Board and MOs have shown their inner most commitment to continuously give life to PELUM Zimbabwe amidst financial instability of the organization.