SITTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dr.Cubagee (Vice President NOC Ghana), Her Excellency D.Bronnert (British Ambassador to Zimbabwe), Mr. S. Ramsammy (IOC Board Member), Honourable L. Dokora (Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture), Honourable W. Shamu (Acting Minister: Womens' Affairs, Gender and Community Development), General L. Palenfo (ANOCA President), Mrs. B. Allen (Chairperson ANOCA Women and Sport Commission), Mrs. M. Hofer (Secretary General NOC Swaziland)and Ms. I. Mwasanga (ANOCA Commission Member: ZONE 5)
A total of seventeen (17) delegates from (16) African countries converged in Harare for an ANOCA- IOC senior sports women administrators forum to map out strategies in preparation for the world conference on women and sport to be held in Los Angeles this February. The forum was held on 9 and 10 Janaury at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The forum was officially opened by Vice President Joice Mujuru, who was represented by the Acting Minister of Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Honourable Webster Shamu on Monday, 9 January
Twenty-two African countries were expected to be represented at the Forum. Each country was asked to send one delegate. Unfortunately, Ethiopia, Angola, Tunisia, South Africa and Namibia failed to participate in the crucial discussions owing to various reasons beyond the organisers’ control.
The objectives of the camp included among others strategy formulation by the African women on how they expect to maintain their leadership position in the world in terms of the numbers of women leaders in topmost positions as well as plans to grow the numbers in and during the next elections.The role of ANOCA in support and promotion of African women and sport and empowering girls as well as adjustments to the African plan of action
In her remarks delivered by Cde Shamu, Honourable Mujuru emphasised the need for women participation in sport. She said women had the passion not only for sport but unity, peace, fair play and tolerance. "Given that sport has been traditionally perceived as a male domain, women and girls' participation in sport also challenges gender stereotypes and has potential for reducing discrimination and breaking down entrenched attitudes", said Mujuru.
Other diginitaries present at the official opening included, The Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Honourable Dokora, The President of ANOCA, General Palenfo (former Vice President of the Ivory Coast), IOC Board Members Mr. Ramsammy and Mrs. Beatrice Allen who is also the Chairperson of the ANOCA women and Sport Commission, her Secretary General Mrs. Moyo, the IOC Director International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Sithole, the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Her Excellency Bronnert, The Sports and Recreation Commission Director General Nhemechena and the ZOC President Admire Masenda.
The forum came up with resolutions which African women will take to the IOC womens' conference to be held in Carlifonia. The forum also came up with objectives and strategies on key areas of resource mobilisation, governance, communication and addressing social perspectives.
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