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Gender mainstreaming for socio-economic development key - Mphoko

by Maxwell Teedzai - The Norton Post
07 Aug 2017 at 12:03hrs | Views
Vice President Hon Phelekezela Mphoko has officially opened the Local Government Investment Conference today. This will Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe second three-day Local Government Investment Conference (LOGIC 2017) running under the theme, 'Local Government: Promoting Investment and Industrialisation fr Socio-Economic Development'.

'I see not many women represented here and I think a lot needs to be done in ensuring that our women are recognised in platforms as important as these', said VP while commenting on LOGIC 2017 before delivering his official speech.

Several international speakers such as Mr Nigel Chanakira, Mr Never Nyemudzo the Group Chief Executive Officer of CBZ Holdings, Professor Innocent Nhapi of Chinhoyi University of Science and Technology, Mr Thomas Zondo Sikala the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Josephine Ncube the Acting Town Klerk of the City of Harare, Dr. Ray Clinton Ndhukula, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet for the Government of Zimbabwe, Mr. Radzokota Samanjese the Principal for Esikhovheni Institute of Manpower Planning and Development in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Richard Mbaiwa the CEO Zimbabwe Investment Authority, Mr Graciano Takawira the Chairman Pragmaleaf Global Ltd, Mrs Divine Simbi-Ndhukula Founder and President of Securico Security Services, Mr. Xolile Goerge, CEO, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Dr. Tinashe Chigwata, University of the Western Cape in South Africa, and Dr Kudzai Chatiza have since graced this historic gathering. The three days have been broken down into session briefs. Sessions one and two will open today and will focus on, 'Reflections on the new position of urban local authorities (ULAs): The New Urban Agenda' and will focusing on the key resolutions and recommendations from LOGIC 2016 which was run under the theme, 'Repositioning Urban Local Authorities for Industrialisation, Investment Promotion and Socio-Economic Development' while Session two will be focusing on 'The Ease of Doing Business (Business Unusual in ULAs).

Tomorrow will see Sessions three and four which will be on Wednesday will discuss, 'Investment opportunities in Urban Local Authorities' and 'Gender Mainstreaming in promoting investment for socio-economic development'. Day three will focus on, 'Experiences in Special projects for investment in ULAs' and 'A framework for ensuring inclusive and sustainable local economic growth and socio-economic development'.

The Vice President of the republic of Zimbabwe has since declared LOGIC 2017 officially opened. The host Ministry was represented by Hon. Saviour Kasukuwere who is the Minister of Local Government, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Patrick Chinamasa also graced the official opening.

The Secretary-General of UCAZ, Mr Livison Mutekede is the brains behind this noble LOGIC program. This year's conference theme is about infrastructure and housing development matters which constitute basic human needs. UCAZ is very active in promoting Gender Equality as a central theme within all of its operations in Zimbabwe.

UCAZ is one of the oldest local government associations in Africa. It started as a loose forum of municipalities in 1923 when councils used to meet and discuss matters of common concern. In 1940 the forum adopted a constitution which established the Local Government Association of Southern Rhodesia (LGASR) with a permanent secretariat. The Association has gone through many name changes from LGASR, Local Government Association of Rhodesia, Local Government Association of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia to the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe. UCAZ is a voluntary association of 32 urban local authorities, enjoying a 100 percent membership of all urban councils in Zimbabwe.

The UCAZ constitution was last amended in June 2002 in order to reflect the new challenges brought about by government's decentralisation policy as well as other changes in the local government sector. Hundreds of delegates have since checked into Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) with delegates drawn from as far as Europe. The first LOGIC Conference was held last year at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.

Source - The Norton Post