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to identify gender issues and define mechanisms for integrating
them into policies, plans, programmes and actions.
An improvement was noted as evidenced through the rec-
ognition of women empowerment and gender equality issues in
policies and programmes as well as the establishment of gender
focal desks in various ministries. However, the gender equality
gaps still exist in the region as seen by the inability to reach the
50:50 target as well as challenges encountered by women. As a
result, in 2019, the SADC Secretariat conducted an assessment
of Gender Mainstreaming in the SADC Integration Agenda.
The results of this assessment are informing the capacity
gaps to be addressed which include technical analysis, monitor-
ing tools, human resource and financial constraints. In this re-
gard, Regional Gender Mainstreaming Resource Toolkit is
under review to strengthen its use in building technical capacity
on gender mainstreaming at regional and national levels, includ-
ing the Secretariat.

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Response to Gender-Based Violence
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as an area of concern to SADC which recognises the pre-
vention and reduction of GBV as a key factor in reaching an environment that is conducive
to peace and security, shown as the foundation of for regional development in the RISDP
2020-2030 and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
In recognising that violence against women and girls continues to be an obstacle to
achieving equality, development and peace, as well as to the fulfilment of human rights in
this regard, SADC developed the Regional Strategy and Framework of Action for address-
ing GBV 2018-2030; the SADC Regional Strategy on Women, Peace and Security 2018
– 2022; and the SADC Strategic Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Persons, es-
pecially Women and Children (2009– 2023).
These strategic frameworks continue to guide Member States in efforts to put an
end to violence against women and girls, to give due attention to the need to include
women in national security sector institutions and processes, and to combat any human
rights violations against women and children.
In terms of progress in addressing GBV in the SADC region, all SADC Member
States have comprehensive laws on GBV or specific GBV aspects, including domestic vi-
olence, violation of children, trafficking in persons, unequal treatment of males and fe-
males, and sexual assault and harassment.