During the course of 2009, Gender Links responded to two invitations for Award nominations, namely Top Women Awards, hosted by Top Women based in Cape Town; and the Drivers of Change Awards hosted by the Mail & Guardian, based in Johannesburg.
Top Women Awards:
The Top Women Awards celebrates those companies and individuals who inspire transformation and gender empowerment, and who strive to effect change through their business practise and within communities.
Top Gender Empowered Government Agency or Parastatal
Gender Links submitted its nomination under the Organisation Awards category:- Top Gender Empowered Government Agency or Parastatal. This award goes to the government department, parastatal or NGO that demonstrates the highest level of gender empowerment. An important factor was measurable and accountable leadership that is committed to developing women in the company. Other considerations were:
- That the organisation met their gender empowerment key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets for service delivery, within budget
- Vision for the organisation going forward
Finalists in this category included Human Sciences Research Council, National Empowerment Fund, Catholic & Welfare Development, Gender Links, Johannesburg Roads Agency
Gender Links was humbled to be announced the WINNER in this category.
The award ceremony was held on 18 November 2009, at the Wanderers Ballroom, Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mail & Guardian Drivers of Change Awards: Investing in the Future
In June 2009, Mail & Guardian circulated a Call for Award nominations under their Drivers of Change Awards. The Drivers of Change Award is granted to individuals or organisations from Southern Africa from the civil society, government, and business sectors. The focus of the award is on developing novel and effective public policies and strategies to overcome poverty. The purpose of the award is to draw attention to "innovative practices, inclusive attitudes, and effective processes that build social trust and create the best conditions to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty."
Gender Links' nomination was under the Drivers of Change: Investing in the Future, Civil Society category. GL submission was on the SADC Gender and Development Protocol Alliance. GL motivated for the role it played in getting SADC Heads of State to sign the Southern African Protocol on Gender and Development in August 2008. The process brought together over 40 gender NGOs in 14 countries to demand the elevation of the SADC Gender Declaration on Gender and Development to a legally binding document is a global and regional first.
While in 2007, GL received a Special Commendation for their entry, in 2009 Gender Links entry was nominated in the top three. GL received a Certificate for being in the top three. The award ceremony has held on 29 October 2009, at Summer Place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
