Gender equality and the empowerment of women is one of the founding principle...

Gender equality and the empowerment of women is one of the founding principles of SADC and
is enshrined in the SADC Treaty of 1992. We have been greatly honoured by the leadership and
important contributions of women in recent peace processes and negotiations in our region. We
also take pride in the fact that, throughout our history, the women of Southern Africa have played
a pivotal role in the liberation movements that brought about independence and democracy to
many of our countries.