meetings. However, mandates dictate that this should primarily be done at a national level by Member States, supported where feasible by the SADC Secretariat or SWCIs. 10.1.3 Policy: Member States and SWCIs shall recognize the positive role played by NGOs in water resources management, particularly at community level, and shall facilitate their participation at all levels in water development and management activities. NGOs are actively involved in water development and management activities at regional, national and community levels throughout the SADC region. They are particularly active at community level (rural and peri-urban areas) where they are engaged in capacity building and community empowerment in water supply and sanitation, public health, agricultural production and enhancing rural livelihoods. They play an important part in poverty eradication programmes since they often target the poor segments of society. This important role should be acknowledged and there is a need that such organisations are considered as development partners with government. Member States should establish mechanisms, where they do not yet exist, or strengthen them (where they exist but are weak) for the effective participation of NGOs and civil society organisations in decision making in water resources development and management. 10.2 Gender Mainstreaming 10.2.1. Policy: Women are recognised as playing a central role in the provision, management and safeguarding of water and shall be fully involved in the development and implementation of policies, processes and activities at all levels. This pivotal role of women as providers and users of water and guardians of the living environment has seldom been reflected in institutional arrangements for the development and management of water resources. In recognition of their critical role, women should be included and empowered to fully participate in decision making at all levels of water resource development and management. 10.2.2. Policy: All SADC water institutions shall implement the principles, goals and objectives of gender mainstreaming in their administration and implementation SADC has committed itself to mainstreaming gender, requiring integration of this approach as a cross-cutting issue for all sectors. The overall goal of SADC gender mainstreaming, as enshrined in the SADC Declaration on Gender, and operationalised through the RISDP, is to “facilitate the achievement of substantive equality between women and men in the SADC region, through mainstreaming gender into all national and regional policies, programmes and activities”. - 51 -