Women's University launches gender centre, to 'address gender issues'

The Gender and Community Development Minister, Dr Olivia Muchena speaking at the launch of the Gender Centre Conceptualisation workshop organised by Women's University in Africa, said the centre should play a pivotal role in achieving a gender balanced society through researches, which will address gender ideological issues and concerns.

"The establishment of such an institution will go a long way in coming up with ideas that may be globally but acting locally to address gender issues," said Dr Muchena.

Speaking at the same occasion, Women's university in Africa Founding member and Vice Chancellor, Professor Hope Sadza said the centre's main aim will be to study and research on gender issues through an African perspective.

"We will strive for excellence in trying to help the Ministry of Gender and Community Development in dealing with gender issues," Professor Chisadza said.

The idea to set up a Gender Centre, which is the first of its kind in the region by the university, was influenced by the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which stipulates that they should be a 50/50% representation for both man and women by the year 2015.

The center, Fay/Hope Center, is named after the co-founders of the University; Professor Hope Sadza and former Minister of Education, Dr Fay Chung.