By Tsitsi Ndawana
This year 2024, Zimbabwe hosted the 44th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on 17th August 2024, in Harare. On the 16th of August RWA Zimbabwe joined SRWA to hold the SAPN parallel event. The event was held virtually and attended by 326 women who were connected as groups from various parts of the country. Various presentations were done and these included understanding SADC, Understanding UPOV 1991, International Treaty on Plant genetics and natural resources as well understanding UNDROP. After the presentation women made several demands towards gaps, they identified from treaties that were discussed. Due to the ban of public gatherings by the government of Zimbabwe, RWA Zimbabwe had to meet in smaller groups, some met in closed offices, some met in their homes, and they made sure that meeting ends before 6pm as there was a curfew. In some areas the network was not stable, and it affected the connectivity of some women. This was again due to the government ‘s security measure to limit traffic on social media pages as it feared that the public would utilize social media to organize themselves and do demonstrations.
The day started at 10.00am with RWA Zimbabwe having an internal local meeting, registration and general discussion on the business and this was led by Zimbabwean RWA country chapter leader Thandiwe Chidavarume. After the internal meeting, RWA Zimbabwe joined the RWA regional meeting at 11.00am for the parallel webinar official opening. RWA Zimbabwe, represented by Euscah Chimhare, made the welcome remarks, welcoming everyone and giving a summary of why it was not possible to hold physical meetings in Zimbabwe. Euscah gave the overview of the current political status of Zimbabwe prior to the commencement of the SADC summit. She highlighted that the situation was tense in Zimbabwe with state securities all over the country especially in the capital city, Harare which was hosting the SADC meeting. RWA meetings, especially national meetings, GBV programs, seed exhibition and other activities were to be postponed following the ban of public gatherings in Zimbabwe. After Zimbabwe gave welcome remarks and brief updates, the meeting was declared open and regional sisters stood in solidarity with Zimbabwe sending in solidarity messages. After the regional meeting, the country chapters disconnected and reconvened to their local meeting.
RWA Zimbabwe SAPSN parallel event started by presentations. The first presentation which was done was on SADC itself, the presentation focused on understanding SADC objectives, why it formed, it roles and as well as understanding its stance in representation of women and addressing women’ s struggles. The structure of SADC was discussed which included the Summit, Tribunal, Organ on politics defense and security, Council of Ministers, Integrated committee of Ministers, Standing committee of officials, SADC secretariat, SADC national committees and SADC Troika. From the discussions RWA women noted that women ‘s representation in all the sectors of SADC is very low and this became their first demand. Women agreed that there must be meaningful representation and participation of women so that gender equality and women’s empowerment in SADC region can be fully achieved.
After the SADC presentation the second presentation was UPOV 91 (Union for The Protection of New Varieties of Plants). From the presentation and discussion women noted the UPOV is a policy that does not support local farmers, and it protects and gives more power to Agri-breeders and commercial actors. It calls for registered commercial farmers and breeders leaving the local and small farmer out of the picture. It gives control of the food chain to breeders. However, Zimbabwe is not yet part of UPOV, but they have tendered an application to join for the sake of new trees. This will result in cross breeding and cross pollination. Rural women are not in agreement with this as this union destroys existing ecosystems and indigenous seeds. During the presentation women asked like: Where are the new varieties coming from? and why are our forests being commercialized? Women made demands that the Zimbabwe government should not be part of UPOV as this policy does support local farmers.
The third presentation focused on ITPGRFA (International Treaty on Plant Genetics Natural Resources for Food and Agriculture). This is an international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. It protects traditional knowledge and farmers’ rights. Article 9.1 of this treaty recognizes the enormous contribution of indigenous and local communities. Article 9.2 identifies 3 measures: Protection of traditional knowledge, The right to equity in sharing of community benefits, The right to participate in national decision making on conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources. It was discussed that the treaty emphasizes the need for prior and informed consent of communities for access to genetic resources where communities have the right to grant access based on mutually agreed terms. Women were happy with the treaty as they understood its provision of saying that there should be collective rights to ownership, control and access to plants and genetic resources.
The last presentation focused on UNDROP (United Nations Declaration on The Rights of Peasant). This declaration protects the rights of peasant farmers and most of our rural women fall in this category. UNDROP was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2018 to protect the rights of peasants and rural workers. It promotes the rights of women and upholds food sovereignty and seed sovereignty. It was discussed that UNDROP supports climate justice and protects rural women. All the 28 articles guide smallholder farmers, especially those in the rural areas. The key provisions of UNDROP were emphasized on included: Right to land and resources, right to seed, right to food and sovereignty, right to participation and many others.
At the end of the meeting RWA women who joined the meeting appreciated the information given to them on each topic because they realized that these treaties and declarations are there, but the majority of RWA women do not know about them. Women noted it is important to continue to push for the full implementation of UNDROP and ITPGRFA as they protect them as farmers and custodians of land and other natural resources. From the discussions and comments on each presentation all the topics were exhausted, and the meeting became a very effective awareness platform.
After all presentations and discussion women came up with following demands:
- We say no to UPOV91 as it destroys our forest, seeds and natural ecosystem
- Women demanded protection of local food and seed systems as supported the ITPGRFA
- Women demanded inclusive and effective participation and representation in all the SADC structures
- Women demanded NGO and CSO representation the SADC meetings
- Women demanded freedom to hold side meetings during SADC summit since in Zimbabwe, the government banned all the public gatherings
- Women also demanded inclusion non -heads of states in the meetings to reduce self-centered decisions.
