What roles can NGOs and civil society organisations play in reclaiming development? To what extent can they be seen as the agents for social justice, human realisation and social transformation, principles that have inspired so many to commit themselves to the work of NGOs?

The average worker needs to work for 111 years to earn what an executive director receives for one year, according to the latest report from the Labour Research Service, a Cape Town-based think-tank. The average executive director's pay of R2.7 million a year "remains excessive when compared with the average minimum wage of R24 000 a year paid to workers", the report says.

IDEA’s sole purpose is to promote excellence in the education of people of African ancestry. “IDEA’s mission is to establish an autonomous, self-reliant support system for the benefit of Africans in Africa and throughout the Diaspora. It is imperative that we coalesce with people of colour on a global scale in order to address mutual needs and concerns. IDEA will serve as a catalyst for forming cohesive coalitions with those who share our vision.” IDEA plans to open a building called the Silicon Centre in Ghana in 2004. The Silicon Centre will offer hotel, restaurant and conference room facilities.

The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA) Election Observer Mission to Malawi has concluded that the elections in Malawi were "substantially free". "The mission notes however that the playing field was not levelled, which made it difficult for opposition parties and candidates to have equitable access to public resources including the state media," says an EISA report on the elections.

“The contributions that older persons continue to make towards development, sustenance of their nation and the care role they give in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic can no longer be ignored,” Ambassador Nancy Kirui, from the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services said in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr M. C. Gitari. Mr Gitari was opening a workshop organised by HelpAge International and HelpAge Kenya to look into older people’s involvement with governments and civil society in the enactment and implementation of effective policies and programmes of demonstrable benefit in their lives.

A United Nations expert has voiced deep concern about the situation of human rights defenders working in the Darfur region of Sudan and urged the country's Government to ensure their protection. Hina Jilani said she had received information regarding "a number of alleged arbitrary arrests and detentions" of people monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in the area. She also cited "credible information" that the freedom of movement of these defenders is being curtailed, particularly their access to conflict areas.

The UK wants the Kenyan government to speed up reforms and has warned the governing National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) that its honeymoon is running out. Among the reforms that a Select Committee of the UK's House of Commons (Parliament) wants implemented urgently are the retrenchment of parastatal staff, speeding up of the fight against corruption and a solution to problems dogging the free education plan.

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) said on Friday that poverty levels on the continent had increased by 43 percent over the last 10 years, with women making up to 80 percent of the people living on less than a dollar a day. Josephine Ouedraogo, director of the ECA's African Centre for Gender and Development, told a news conference at a meeting of economic experts and academicians in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that the situation was being compounded by high rates of maternal mortality, which, she said, stood at 940 deaths per 100,000 birth.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

First of all, thanks to all of you for the support you have given Pambazuka News recently – we continue to receive news, information and letters of support from our readers, as well as donations.

Since we last wrote to you, we have:

* Contributed to worldwide mobilisations to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide through a special section in Pambazuka News and by producing a special commemorative issue of Pambazuka News

* Armed African parliamentarians with crucial information for the first meeting of the Pan African Parliament in Addis Ababa. Some 260 printed copies of the special issue of Pambazuka were distributed free to every parliamentarian attending that meeting – our thanks to Oxfam for their support for printing and distribution

* Organised a petition to the Africa Union on freedom of expression

* Sounded the warning bells about the massacres in Darfur

* Provided a platform for critical debate and discussion in the region and a means for sharing information

We are about to run a campaign to have the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa ratified by African countries. This campaign is being organised jointly by Equality Now, the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), Credo for Freedom of Expression & Associated Rights, Oxfam’s Pan African programme and Fahamu. Fahamu is developing an online petition facility and we are investigating the possibilities of enabling people to sign using SMS/Text messaging technologies.

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This week there is no Pambazuka News for you, apart from this letter. The empty space below shows what impact we'll have on the cause of social justice if we don't get your help.

Pambazuka News is published by Fahamu (www.fahamu.org)

* Comment and Analysis: The role of men and boys in gender equality
* Pan-African Postcard: Nigerian state of emergency a bad precedent
* Conflicts and Emergencies: Victor Bout, Africa arms dealer, resurfaces in Iraq
* Human Rights:Zimbabwe: Food must not be used as a political tool, says Amnesty
* Women and Gender: Coming out in Africa
* Elections and Governance: Special IRIN report on the Malawi elections
* Development: Zambia condemned to debt
* HIV/AIDS: Aids groups blast Bush plan
* Social Welfare: Zambia: Frida’s story
* Jobs: Pambazuka seeks volunteer

Malawi marks a decade of multi-party democracy with general elections on Thursday, which analysts warn are not only too close to call but, if mismanaged, could spark unrest. The seven-party opposition Mgwirizano (Unity) coalition, led by veteran politician Gwanda Chakuamba, is running the ruling United Democratic Front's (UDF) Bingu wa Mutharika a close race, but attention has also focused on the capacity and independence of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
* Profiles of the candidates
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=41154

The year 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, which was held in Beijing, China, in 1995, and processes to review the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) are gaining momentum. Recently, a southern African intergovernmental Sub-Regional Meeting for the decade review of the BPFA was held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 26 to 28 April 2004 under the auspices of the southern Africa Office of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Prior to the sub-regional review meeting, representatives of women's human rights, women's empowerment and gender and development non-governmental organisations from eleven countries met in Lusaka, Zambia on 25 April 2004, at a special session devoted specifically to reviewing the achievements, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of BPFA. The objective of the working session, which was convened by the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC), Women in Development Southern Africa Awareness programme (WIDSAA) in collaboration with the Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) in Zambia, was to consolidate civil society input to the intergovernmental decade review meeting.

The NGO meeting achieved their objective by producing a communiqué, which was presented to the sub-regional intergovernmental decade review meeting. The communiqué outlined constraints and challenges encountered in implementing the 12 critical areas outlined in BPFA.

While acknowledging the region's progresses, the Gender NGOs expressed deep concern about the rapid spread of HIV infection in the SADC countries and the millions of deaths caused by AIDS, which they described as a testimony to the continued unequal power relations between women and men.

The communiqué highlighted several constrains and challenges hampering the implementation of the 12 critical areas of concern outlined in the BPFA as obstacles to the advancement of women and gender equality. Key among the constraints is the failure to operationalise established gender equality frameworks and implement national and regional policies. A majority of countries in the regional have adopted national gender policies and developed attractive strategic plans for their implementations, but these have remained unimplemented. Reasons include a lack of financial and human resources.

The established mechanisms for the advancement of women have also been less productive due to unclear mandates, understaffing and limited skills in gender mainstreaming. Only a few experts have the requisite gender competencies and awareness on gender equality instruments to implement policies and assist in mainstreaming of gender.

Another major concern expressed was the misconception surrounding gender mainstreaming, which was reported to be hindering the promotion of gender equality.

To clear the current misunderstanding of the concept of gender mainstreaming, the NGOs in their communiqué called for a strong review of 'gender mainstreaming' at the continental, regional, national and civil society levels within countries and for the development of approaches that result in transformation, rather than mere reform, of the patriarchal structures.

“Gender mainstreaming has been simplistically defined as the social roles of women and men without any analysis of the unequal power relations within structures, which hinder women's effective participation. This interpretation of the approach has led to situations where gender mainstreaming is viewed as the sole responsibility of women, and it is seen as a 'favour', rather than as a strategic means to bring about gender justice and equality.

“We note with grave concern the misconceptions that have arisen around 'gender mainstreaming' as the identified approach to give women equal access to opportunities in all sectors. Some governments have interpreted the approach to mean mainstreaming 'traditional gender roles' whereby women are still unable to break through the 'glass ceilings' into decision-making positions,” read part of the communiqué.

Gender experts define gender mainstreaming as the (re) organisation, improvement, development and evaluation of policy processes, so that a gender equality perspective is incorporated in all policies at all levels and at all stages, by the actors normally involved in policy-making.

Gender mainstreaming means that gender equality is part of common policies and thus it (gender mainstreaming) implies a broader and more comprehensive definition of gender equality, giving value to differences and diversity. In stressing the need to (re) organise, improve, develop and evaluate policy processes, gender mainstreaming must be able to challenge the male bias that characterises society and the structural character of gender inequality. Mainstreaming must involve more and new actors in building a balanced society.

Concern about the the lack of gender specific job descriptions, and the limited knowledge on gender issues, was also expressed. This was coupled with low working morale that defeated the good intention behind established gender focal points in the ministries in most SADC countries. Personnel at these focus points are usually overburdened by other responsibilities, and in some cases lack gender-mainstreaming skills, thereby rendering them unable to influence policy changes in their respective sectors. These problems are compounded by the high turnover of gender specialists.

Recommendations regarding the other priority areas of concern in the BPFA were as follows:

* In order to effectively reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS, governments must make gender equality central to all strategies, polices and programmes.

* Declining economies and poverty remain big challenges for the region. It was recommended that by December 2006, women form no less than 50% of all bodies that make decisions on economic policy; and enact laws that guarantee that women form no less than 50 percent of the beneficiaries of land redistribution schemes and have access to and control over ownership of land in their own right.

* Recognising the high maternal mortality rates in the sub-region, provision of quality reproductive health services is paramount. It is recommended that user fees for all women including pregnant girls seeking health services be removed; that a broad range of female controlled protective devices such as microbicides and condoms be provided as contraception and protection from HIV and STIs and legislative reforming permitting access to safe and affordable delivery and abortion be effected.

* On gender violence, it was recommended that all SADC countries provide post sexual violence medical therapies for women and girls and especially those therapies that prevent and reduce the transmission of HIV and STIs; all countries enact legislation that criminalizes domestic violence and sexual offences committed in both the public and private spheres; all SADC countries ensure that they make and protect budgetary provisions for implementing measures to protect women and girls from violence; that governments enact stiffer penalties for all forms of sexual violence against the girl-child including trafficking, and protect girls from child labour.

* On women in decision-making positions, it was recommended that governments adopt measures within the framework of the elections which are unfolding in the region over the next 18 months, to fulfil the commitment of reaching the target of a minimum of 30 percent women in strategic political and decision making positions by December 2005; domesticate all regional and international instruments that are legally binding, and transform declarations into Protocols; and amend all constraints urgently to eliminate the provisions that currently exist for the discrimination of women and girls through customary and personal law.

* While recognising the growing acceptance of women's participation in decision-making, the NGOs recommended that governments make a concerted effort to: meet the African Union's target of 50% women in managerial and decision-making positions in all parastatals, public institutions, regional bodies, media institutions, the judiciary, the public service and trade unions; and enact special measures to increase women's participation in structures and policy-making processes at all levels.

* On women in the media, government and media were recommended to set targets for the advancement of women in the media; and set up an independent regulatory media authority to monitor the implementation of these targets. The media were also urged to develop editorial and employment policies which prohibit discrimination against women in the workplace, and ensure their promotion to key positions.

Lastly, Southern Africa - and the African continent - must begin to operate on a new gear, which ensures that all commitments agreed upon, including protocols and declarations signed, are adhered to. As the continent prepares for the African Union meeting in July, governments and heads of states that have not signed, ratified or acceded to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa must do so.

Few countries have so far signed, ratified or acceded to the Protocol, which holds lots of opportunities to squarely address a number of interconnected issues on violence against women, based on African women's experiences. The Protocol is crucial for enacting gender sensitive legislation that is rooted in local experience and responds concisely to women's lived realities.

* Barbara Lopi is Project Manager/Editor the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre, Women in Development Southern Africa Awareness (SARDC WIDSAA) programme.

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* NOTE FOR EDITORS: Please note that this editorial was commissioned from the author for Pambazuka News. While we are pleased that several print publications have used our editorials, we ask editors to note that if they use this article, they do so on the understanding that they are expected to provide the following credit: "This article first appeared in Pambazuka News, an electronic newsletter for social justice in Africa, Editors are also encouraged to make a donation.

EQUALITY NOW BEIJING +10 CAMPAIGN
Equality Now, which works for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women around the world, recently launched a global Beijing + 10 campaign for the repeal of discriminatory laws with respect to the commitments made in the Beijing Platform for Action.

To highlight the gap between women’s realities in countries around the world and the commitments made by governments ten years ago, Equality Now has issued 'Words and Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable in the Beijing+10 Review Process' The report highlights a representative sampling of discriminatory laws in countries around the world and calls on their governments to rescind these laws in accordance with the commitment made in the Beijing Platform for Action. A number of African countries' laws (Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania) are included in the report, which is available at the website: www.equalitynow.org

Amnesty International has called on donor nations to provide adequately for the needs of an estimated 21,000 former child soldiers who are currently being disarmed in Liberia. The international group released a report on child soldiers in Liberia on Monday as the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child opened its thirty-sixth session. "The children of Liberia have been killed, made orphans, maimed, abducted, deprived of education and health care - and recruited and used as child soldiers," Amnesty said in a statement accompanying the release of its report.

Kenya recently held a national ICT convention aimed at bringing together a wide group of stakeholders to discuss Kenya's information and communications technology (ICT) policy and most importantly work towards an implementation strategy. The convention was organised by the Kenya ICT Federation (KIF), a body incorporating many private sector organisations involved in the sector such the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya ICT Board that was recently formed to try and incorporate all the main actors including civil society organisations.

"When I was little my mother didn't have a job, so my uncle took me in and sent me to school, but before my second grade he died. I was then passed on to my mother’s sister. But my auntie couldn't afford to send me and her own children to school so I stayed home and did the housework. Not long after I had moved in, auntie got very sick and died. It was too much for me to bear. My mom decided to have me live with her because no one else would. I didn’t know my father, but my mother told me he died a long time ago." Frida is an orphan living at the Anglican Children's Project, Lusaka, Zambia. This is her story.

Zimbabwe, where more than five million people face famine, claimed this week that it had enough food to feed its population and would not seek aid supplies this year. The claim was dismissed as ridiculous by agricultural experts and aid workers who said it was an attempt by the regime to secure full control over food supplies before next year's parliamentary elections.

The Swaziland Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) predicts that the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate will lower life expectancy to just 40 years by 2010. The first large-scale survey of Swazi homes to determine the impact of HIV/AIDS found a reversal of the decade-long trend of lower mortality rates, due to the pandemic. "Swaziland has entered uncharted territory", concluded the VAC's findings for 2003, released this week. Food aid was the main source of nutrition for rural residents in three of Swaziland's four regions, where drought has ruined harvests for the past three years.

An apparent decline in the number of circumcision operations carried out on young women in Burkina Faso masks a growing trend to circumcise younger and younger girls, according to a new survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Burkina based National Committee Against the Practice of Circumcision (CNLPE).

Rebels and government forces may be talking peace in Sudan's civil war, but minority ethnic groups are still being attacked and more than a million people have been displaced, the UN's Ruud Lubbers said on Tuesday. Lubbers described the region's refugee crisis as a "humanitarian catastrophe" that is "one of the world's gravest emergencies". Government-sponsored Arab militias are conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing aimed at driving the non-Arab minorities out of the western Sudanese region of Darfur. On May 11 the Sudanese government and southern rebels told United States officials they agreed to the terms of a peace deal to end their long-running civil war, but a formal agreement has yet to be signed.

According to the latest issue of Education Today Newsletter of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), there were 73 million children at African school desks in 1987. By 2001, the figure had increased to 106 million. If African countries are to meet the goal of universal primary education, their school systems will have to enrol nearly 180 million children in 2015. To cope with this huge challenge, the number of teachers must increase at an even higher rate than the number of pupils, according to the report, 'The Issue of Teaching Staff and Universal Primary Enrolment in 2015 in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and African Countries having Portuguese as an official language (PALOPs).’