Stakeholders urge CSOs to shift from advocacy to action on gender policy awareness
Providence Moyo
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have been urged to go beyond advocacy and take tangible action in raising awareness and promoting the implementation of the National Gender Policy. The call was made during a multi-stakeholder engagement on gender-responsive public service delivery held at the Bulawayo Club on Wednesday.
Human rights defender Prisca Dube underscored the urgency of translating awareness efforts into measurable outcomes.
“It is crucial to move from advocacy to action to fuel sustainable change. Awareness is not enough—we need real, measurable progress on the ground,” she said.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Bulawayo City Council, government ministries, informal traders, feminist collectives, and various civil society organisations. Participants expressed concern over the city’s deteriorating public services, which continue to disproportionately affect women and girls due to entrenched patriarchal systems and governance challenges.
Ward 11 Councillor Susan Sithole highlighted the impact of collapsing public services on women.
“From healthcare breakdowns to water crises and unsafe trading spaces, women are bearing the brunt of systemic neglect,” she said.
Sithole also pointed to the exclusion of women from key policy-making platforms as a significant barrier to inclusive development. She called on CSOs to focus on grassroots mobilisation and empowerment.
“Women are not forthcoming in developmental issues affecting their areas. This is what CSOs must target—empowering them to engage and lead,” she said.
She acknowledged progress made in recent elections, noting the increase of women councillors—18 in total—as a result of sustained capacitation efforts by CSOs.
The conference was organised by young feminist leaders under the FES Alumni Network, alongside partner organisations. A position paper was presented, outlining gendered challenges in public service provision.
Organisers expressed hope that the engagement would result in concrete commitments from all stakeholders toward systemic and inclusive change.
