Will SADC member states meet the benchmarks to gauge the region’s commitment to reduce gender imbalances and improve the welfare and human rights of women set for the year 2005?

In 1997, SADC Heads of State and Government made a commitment to achieve 30 percent representation by women in all areas of decision-making by 2005.

In 2000, leaders in SADC countries joined the rest of the world in adopting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Goal number three of the MDGs challenges governments or states to “Promote gender equality and empower women,” setting targets to eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005 and at all levels by 2015.

As the deadline for the year 2005 nears, progress on the MDGs indicates that most of the countries in the SADC region have either achieved or are on track towards achieving the goal on gender equality.

Regarding the 30 percent target of women in political and decision-making structures by 2005, most member states in the region are striving to make it.

Three SADC countries, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia, have elections before the end of 2004 while Angola, Lesotho, United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe will have theirs in 2005. The elections present opportunities for countries to improve on progress towards meeting the target.