NATIONAL GENDER ISSUES MECHANISM WANTED

Maria Medina, MINFAMU Gender EqualityDirector, defends its institutionalization.

October 7, 2003 – (Angola Press Agency - Luanda) Angola should set up a national mechanism to deal with gender matters with a view to a boost to actions directed to a balance in the relationship between men and women in the country.

This was said today in Luanda by the director for equality of the Ministry of Family Affairs and Woman Promotion (MINFANU), Maria Mpava Medina.
She was Speaking to ANGOP on a seminar her department will organise on 16-17 October to hear from partners about the mentioned mechanism.
According to her, MINFAMU has currently a unit on gender that is not part of the organic frame, the reason why there is no a specific fund to cover activities related to this issue.

Maria Medina stated that the creation of such a mechanism will stimulate the educational approach to gender issues and is a recommendation from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) with a view to securing the accomplishment of 30 percent of women in decision making organs at all levels.

According to the source, in addition to stimulating gender equality among the citizens of both sexes, SADC wants to harmonise the mechanisms that deal with matters in its member states.

She said as well that some Southern Africa countries have offices to handle gender matters under the prime minister or the head of State.

Maria Medina said however that in Angola such a mechanism might remain under MINFAMU, should it be incorporated in the ministry's oranic frame.

She said the ministry has conducted a survey with female organisations, but she would not reveal the outcome.

Gender issues like talks, round-table meetings and awareness campaigns will be held by MINFAMU under the sponsorship of UN agencies like the UNDP and UNIFEM.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200310070589.html