Talatona - The Minister of State for Social Affairs, Dalva Ringote, Friday in Luanda, defended the need for greater engagement by the member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the implementation of gender equality policies and the promotion of women.
The minister made the statement at the opening of the meeting of SADC ministers responsible for gender issues and the promotion of women, which addresses, among other topics, progress in the implementation of gender programs and the economic empowerment of women.
Dalva Ringote urged each country in the community to renew its legal, institutional, economic and social actions, taking into account the United Nations' 2030 sustainable development goals.
According to the minister, due to social transformations, everyone is challenged to reflect and work to change the worrying situation that women face in the region, in the face of moral, physical, psychological, emotional, economic and sexual violence, as well as trafficking of human beings, with a focus on girls and children.
The State Minister added that these aspects continue to affect the development of African societies, particularly in the region, making the role of each state, public and private institutions, families and international partners fundamental in the defense of security, legal guarantees and social welfare.
Dalva Ringote also highlighted the approval of the ‘Revised SADC Gender Mainstreaming Resource Kit’ in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, aimed at supporting actions and strengthening the capacities of member states in terms of effective gender mainstreaming, regional and national policies and programs.
The State Minister said the Republic of Angola, in its capacity as SADC chairperson, urges member states to make efforts to mobilize resources to implement the actions planned in the gender agenda and strengthen national mechanisms, mobilizing civil society and other social partners.
Situation in Angola
Domestically, the Minister of State said the country has an institutional legal framework that is coherent with its commitments to gender equality, and that a gender-sensitive budget has been approved, which helps to promote a sense of justice and reinforce the government's responsibility to improve alignment with the sustainable development goals.
These actions, the minister said, are the result of the approval in the country of various pieces of legislation, including the Law against Domestic Violence, accompanied by the regulations and executive plan, the new Penal Code, the Law approving the Family Code, the National Implementation Plan for Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security of the United Nations.
The meeting taking place virtually, is also addressing issues related to the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, the peace and security agenda, women in politics and decision-making positions and progress in efforts to address gender-based violence.
The work is being led by the Minister of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers responsible for Gender and Women's Affairs, Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto. VS/ANM/OHA/DAN/AMP
