The Sunday Mail
Society Correspondent
THE annual United Nations Global Compact Leaders Summit will this year focus on setting clear paths to recovery from social inequalities, economic disparities, climate crisis and the global pandemic.
The conference is set to be held virtually on June 15 and June 16.
More than 25 000 leaders from civil society, business, government and United Nations are expected to take part, as they take stock of the progress and highlight the areas requiring improvement to create lasting change.
“Only through multi-stakeholder collaboration, innovative thought leadership, transparent reporting on progress and focused data-driven initiatives can we get back on track. Now, more than ever before, adherence to the 10 principles and advancement of responsible business practices is essential for recovery and rebuilding a just, equitable and resilient society,” reads part of the UN Global Compact statement.
One of the invited participants, Craft Properties Holdings, said the meeting would deliberate on issues such as gender equality that are essential in the development of society.
“Society needs to understand the importance of gender equality whether in business or our daily lives. I am more excited to participate given the fact that, here, in Zimbabwe, I am also involved in programmes to do with women’s welfare.
“I am a board member and advisor to the Padare/Enkuhleni Men’s Forum on Gender that works with Government and its arms like the police to promote gender equality,” said Craft Properties Holdings chief executive officer Mr Kudakwashe Taruberekera.
Padare/Enkuhleni Men’s Forum on Gender focuses on gender equality, welfare of the girl-child and eradication of child marriages.
The event will empower organisations with tools to engage in accelerated learning opportunities and develop a tailored action plan.
It is believed that the private sector has an important role in ensuring gender equality.
“The private sector should work with Government to create a national board to deal with issues of child marriages and gender-based violence. Also, there should be a board of coordinators that will be responsible for creating a pool of funds that will be supported by the private sector to help alleviate the effects of poverty in affected communities so as to reduce child marriages.
“The board will be also responsible for dealing with issues concerning tuition fees of children who are unable to attend school and offer them a chance to acquire decent education,” said Mr Taruberekera.
The board, he added, should also be mandated to provide housing facilities to families that are struggling to acquire decent accommodation.
“A global platform to discuss such topics will certainly leave not only us but the rest of the country enlightened on these and other issues. At times the private sector needs to be encouraged from elsewhere to take action.
“In some countries, the private sector and the police have created an improved communication system of reporting and investigating issues to do with child marriages and gender-based violence and we must do the same.
“Some cases that are being reported to the police are taking long to be dealt with due to a number of issues, particularly logistical, and the private sector can in some instances assist.”
The UN Global Compact Summit is uniquely positioned to support companies as they align their practices for a sustainable and inclusive future.
Such forthcoming annual meetings help global institutions understand specific requirements in different regions and countries.
“The private sector should assist in creating safety nets that safeguard children from the harsh economic factors to increase community coping mechanism and resilience.
“This will definitely decrease the marrying off of girls for economic resources and also reduce eloping among girls as there would be participants and beneficiaries in these projects.
“The private sector should also work on adopting disadvantaged children, for example, those from child-headed families, orphans and the vulnerable. This should be preceded by identifying these children in society for possible assistance. Global institutions like the UN are also important in the fight.”
Kadoma-based Craft Properties Holdings has represented Zimbabwe in various forums, including the public hearing on “Practical Implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, held last year.
The 13-year-old multi-award-winning company also has a regional presence in Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, with future plans set on the South African market.
Internationally, the company is found in Texas, United States of America, where Craft Properties USA LLC acts as a hub in providing services to a variety of clients, including the United Nations.
