International Women’s Day: Panos Calls for Inclusive Policies,  Gender-Responsive Actions to Empower Women and Girls

Press Statement

Lusaka, Zambia, 8th March 2025 – Today, in commemorating  International Women’s Day under the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” Panos Institute Southern Africa calls on state and non-state actors across Southern Africa to formulate and implement inclusive and gender responsive systems and structures.  These include, but are not limited to policies, laws, strategies and programmes to promote and protect the effective participation of women and girls in different spheres.

This year’s theme recognises the important role of women and girls, and the urgent need to create an environment where they can access opportunities to effectively participate in shaping development, while enjoying all their human rights.

 

To that effect, we call on the media, civil society and other information actors to produce and disseminate evidence-based content that celebrates the resilience, strength, and contributions of women and girls in driving sustainable development.  There is need for sustained engagement to  highlight and address the many barriers that significantly hinder women and girls’ full participation in social, economic, and political spheres. Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue, with many experiencing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Limited access to education and healthcare, economic inequality, and underrepresentation in leadership roles further compound these challenges. Gendered misinformation and disinformation often undermine efforts to ensure women access to information on finances to be empowered and girls have safe spaces to express their views without being stigmatized —especially through social media. False narratives about women, the value of educating girls, or harmful stereotypes can hinder their participation and progress. These issues often lead to gender-based violence (GBV). Despite these obstacles, women and girls have proven to be key drivers of progress, demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation in their communities.

As a communication for development organization that promotes inclusive development pathways, amplifying voices of the marginalized, including  women and girls, in our communities is at the heart of our mission. In addition to our various initiatives working with and through the media and civil society to amplify the voices of women and girls, we have also intensified the strengthening of our internal systems to make our organisation more alert to and responsive to the various threats to women’s participation. We have, among others, developed policies on gender equity and social inclusion, and prevention of sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation. We are also intensifying our efforts to tackle gendered disinformation and disinformation, providing accurate, empowering messages that  can unlock the potential of women and girls to lead, innovate, and transform communities. We urge decision makers to strengthen legal frameworks and enhance support services to end gender-based violence and other barriers to women’s participation, increase investment in girls’ education and healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services, supporting economic empowerment initiatives and entrepreneurship opportunities, and decent work, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.

Together, we can build an environment where all women and girls enjoy their rights, live free from discrimination and violence, and have equal opportunities for participation.

 

 Issued by:

 

Vusumuzi Sifile

Executive Director, Panos Institute Southern Africa

Email: vusa@panos.org.zm