Better the balance, Better the World #Balance for Better #IWD2019

THE Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) - a national network of women's organizations and individuals; whose vision is a Zimbabwean society where women and girls fully enjoy their rightsjoins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women's Day 2019 under the theme: #BalanceforBetter?

The first International Women's Day occurred in 1911, supported by over one million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.

From grassroots activism to nationwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence.

The 2019 #BalanceforBetter? campaign runs all year long. It doesn't end on International Women's Day. The campaign theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanize continuous collective action, with #BalanceforBetter? actions reinforced and amplified all year.

Collectively we can all play a part

Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.

Let's build a gender-balanced Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is founded on respect of values and principles that include recognition of gender equality. This provision recognizes the rights of the marginalized groups that is women, people living with disability, youth and children.

Women's rights are also included in the national objectives which are important to guide the government in formulating and implementing laws and policies that will enhance and establish a just, free and democratic society.

Section 56 provides for the right to equality and non-discrimination including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.

Section 17 of the constitution mandates the Government to promote gender balance taking into cognisance full participation of women in political, social and economic spheres.

The State has established independent institutions that support constitutional democracy like the Gender Commission whose main mandate is monitoring gender equality issues and government must ensure that women are appointed to such commissions and can be chairpersons or deputies

Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage.

Call for Action: To #Balance for Better

i. Inform women's yourself rights and and gender others equality about

• Read and share constitutional provisions on women's rights and gender equality

• Make a video of yourself with a friend

talking about why gender equality matters and influence others

• Promote stories on your social media

sites about people that you know have stood up for equality and gender balance.

• Host a “constitution reading and discussion” event on promoting women's rights

• Ask friends, family and colleagues to

join the #BalanceForBetter Campaign ii. Stand Up, Speak Out and Challenge any form of violation of Women's Rights

• If you see women and girls’ rights being

violated stand with them

• Use social media to stand in solidarity

with women and girls experiencing discrimination

• Share your story on how you are advancing the rights of women

• Campaign against violence against iii. women Stand with others on issues to do with women's rights

• Declare your action to advance gender balance so as to inspire others

• Champion gender equality and gender balance

• Donate to actions that advance women and girls rights

• Volunteer with a group that promotes

women's rights activism iv. Lobby duty bearers to uphold Gender Equality and Women's Rights (Police, Independent Commissions, Councilors, Members of Parliament, Ministers, Government, Employees, CSOs)

• Lobby Leaders i.e. (community leaders) to uphold women's rights

• Sign related petitions, declarations and

commitments on promoting women's rights and gender eq uality

• Lobby your legislators to pass gender

equality and non-discriminatory laws

• Urge your community leaders (e.g religious, local, sporting, cultural leaders) to make public commitments to advance the rights of women and gender equality v. In everyday life action

• Combat myths with facts online and daily conversations, challenge harmful stereotypes.

• Speak up for tolerance and against prej

udice. Keep yourself in check, challenge your own views and prejudices

• Consider the equality and discrimination track record of companies, institutions, leaders, partners before engaging or investing in them

• Talk to your children, friends and colleagues about equality and point out positive and diverse role models

• Celebrate women’s achievements

Gender balance is essential for our economy and communities to thrive. Balance drives a better working Zimbabwe. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter?. For International Women's Day 2019 and beyond, how will you #BalanceforBetter???

Everyone has a part to play — all the time, everywhere.