The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development looks into integration and main streaming of gender issues into the SADC Programme of Action and Community Building initiatives which is important to the sustainable development of the SADC region.
The Protocol aims to provide for the empowerment of women, to eliminate discrimination and achieve gender equality by encouraging and harmonising the development and implementation of gender responsive legislation, policies and programmes and projects.
It is also a tool used to set realistic, measurable targets, time frames and indicators for achieving gender equality and equity and monitor and evaluate the progress made my Member States thereof. To this regard The Protocol clearly speaks to issues of constitutional and legal rights, governance, and education and training, productive resources and employment, gender based violence, HIV/Aids and Conflict Resolution.