The COE concept seeks to ensure that key councils are identified across the region and worked with very closely in their process of getting gender on their council's agenda. The approach also seeks to develop synergy in GL programme work by focusing various projects from our SADC Gender Protocol, governance, media and justice programmes in specific localities.

The councils' progress in Namibia

Council	About the council	Stages
Gobabis	Aims to render excellent affordable, sustainable and accessible services to the community of Gobabis and its visitors and to be model town in service excellence, investor and Tourists destination. The Council consist of 7 members, 5 women and 2 men, a Gender Champion and the CEO understands the work of GL. They are home to Gender Action Plan-GAP, GBV Action Plan, and the COE roll out Action Plan as well.	Completed all 7 stages
Witvlei	Witvlei is the only Village Council identified for a gender policy roll out and action Plan. At Village level politics is not an issue. Issues are about development, service delivery, unemployment, HIV and AIDS and violence. It will be easy for a gender policy formulation, as it will help address many of the issues the Village is confronted with. The Council has a GAP, GBV Action Plan in place. These Plans give them the courage and determination to push for a gender policy in the future. The Witvlei Village Council is made up of 5 Councillors, 2 women, one a Chairperson of the Village Council and 5men.	Completed all 7 stages
Rehoboth	The Rehoboth Council aims to provide professional and efficient services to all its clients. The Rehoboth Town Council former deputy Mayor won 2010 Mayoral awards at the first ever Local government Summit. 2011 Councillors are all new. GL Country facilitator has briefed the new Council about its projects.	Completed stages 1, II, III, IV and VI
Swakopmund	To provide and maintain safe, sufficient nd affordable services for residents and visitors and promote future development to the benefit of the Community. It also create policies and procedures for equal opportunity in recruitment, employment and promotion, guided by well defined Affirmative Action principles. The Council is headed by former management Chairperson who is now the Mayor of the Town. The Council has three Actions Plans. GAP, GBV and COE, Plan of Action, that will lead the Council to a possible formulation of a Gender Policy.	Completed stages 1, II, III, IV and VI
Arandis	To transform Arandis to a town of choice for current and future inhabitants and investors through smart partnership. It is based on notions such as Excellence service provision, honesty, trustworthiness and teamwork. It is the only Council so far that has set aside a gender budget as they call it, in a sum of R30.000.00 for events related to 16 days and other related matters to violence at the town. The Council has three Actions Plans. GAP, GBV and COE Action Plans.	Completed stages 1, II, III, IV and VI
Karibib	The mandate of the Municipality/Council is to plan, coordinate and supervise socio-economic and physical infrastructural development activities with in the jurisdiction of Karibib town, in a manner that will improve household quality of life and business or industrial engagement, in the town by providing for an appropriate town planning and establishment various projects to empower where needs are.	Completed stages 1 and II, moving now to stages III and IV
Otjo	The Council of Outjo is in the category of part two of Local Authorities. The Town Council aims to manage infrastructure, attract investment to benefit the inhabitants and become a tourists destination. The town Council is committed to create a safe and friendly environment, by delivering affordable, effective services and infrastructure to customers and to many others.	Completed stages I and II and moving to stages III and IV
Mariental	The Council of Mariental is cognizant of the ever increasing role for Local authorities in Namibia, through delegated mandates and functions through the decentralisation programme of central Government. It has realised the need to become more effective and efficient in in view of scarce financial resources, has decided to embark on a participatory process to develop a local strategic plan to deveop the town. Mariental Town	Completed stages I and II and moving to stages III and IV
Okahandja	The Okahandja Council is committed to become the leading provider of Municipal services in the country. To transform the Town of Okahandja into a prosperous, safe, beautiful garden town, that is an industrial hub of Namibia and a Tourist magnet in Southern Africa. The Okahadja Town Council has gone through many challenges and crisis of late. But after 2010 Local Government Elections, the situation has been nornalised.	Completed stages I and II and moving to stages III and IV
Windhoek	Aims to enhance the quality of life of all our people. The City of Windhoek is committed to render efficient and effective municipal services. Buy in was sought with meeting between the mayor Hon Alain Trepper and GL country facilitator in Namibia. A meeting will be held in May to chart the way forward.	Completed stages I and II

Stages in the process are:

Stage I: Meetings with management teams and political heads of councils
Stage II: Situational Analysis
Stage III: Council level policy and implementation workshops
Stage IV: Community mobilisation village level meetings on the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development
Stage V: Capacity building through on the job training: Modules include: Gender, elections and the media, Making IT and the media work for you, Campaigns, Communication
Stage VI: Application of skills in the running of major campaigns, e.g. 365 Days of Action to End Gender Based Violence