Report of the National Women S Conference: August 2011
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REPORT OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: AUGUST 2011
31 JULY-03 AUGUST 2011 BIRCHWOOD HOTEL, BOKSBURG
“Sexism, just like racism, is an acquired attitude of the mind, which can be overcome”
HE Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President, RSA Speaking at the National Women’s Conference, 3 August 2011
Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities
36 Hamilton Street Arcadia Pretoria Private Bag X 931, Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 (012) 359 0470 Fax: +27 (012) 359 0013 www.wcpd.gov.za FOREWORD
TRANSLATING THE MOMENTUM OF THE FIRST NATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE INTO ACTION
was also well attended by progressive men’s organizations that play a role in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The Conference was meant to re- examine progress made by Government towards its commitment to a non-sexist society and its transformation agenda, identify shortcomings and propose recommendations that would ensure that women’s issues and gender equality are mainstreamed across and I am proud to present this report of the within governance priorities – in first National Women’s Conference: particular the 5 national priorities and August 2011 hosted by the Department the 12 outcomes of Government for Women, Children and People with adopted and endorsed by the nation Disabilities (DWCPD). during the 2009 elections.
This National Conference on gender The commitment to a non-sexist and women’s empowerment, which society has always been part of the happened at the start of the national democratic government’s policy. women’s month activities, was a According to the Constitution (1996), significant expression of the voice of women are recognized as equal the women of this country. It was a citizens, with equal rights and collective consensus of women from all responsibilities. The women of this over the country – women in the country have always been at the national, provincial and local executive forefront of the struggle for their levels, women in government, women political franchise, emancipation and from rural areas, women with empowerment for a very long time, disabilities, women living with HIV, putting forward a vision for a non- women in business both formal and sexist society. It is the democratic informal, women in trade unions, Government since 1994 that has given elderly women, young women, women- effect to this ardent calling of women based NGOs, and women in civil by institutionalizing gender equality society organizations. The Conference and women’s empowerment through its policies, institutional arrangements forward. Behind this lies the strong and and intervention measures. organized power of the women’s movement, which has shown The creation of a dedicated Ministry for resurgence through the mobilization of Women, Children and People with women from across the spectrum of Disabilities in May 2009, and its society in South Africa. concomitant Department, is an articulation of this commitment to the This report is therefore a powerful women of the country. This very agenda for the empowerment of important pronouncement must women in the country and has been continue to have a significant impact shaped by the influence, passion and on the lives of women and girls with intellectual conviction of the women at special emphasis on their this historic Conference. development, advancement and empowerment and the achievement of gender equality. ______As such, the first National Conference BY MS. LULU XINGWANA: MINISTER FOR for Women was critical in that it has WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH created the forum for women to DISABILITIES determine the gender agenda going CONFERENCE DECLARATION
We, the women participating in the First National Women’s Conference: August 2011, gathered here in the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, Gauteng from 31 July to 03 August 2011;
Determined to advance the goals of women’s development, empowerment, advancement and the achievement of gender equality across our society;
Acknowledging the voices of women all over the country and taking note of the diversity of women and their roles and circumstances;
Honouring the women veterans who were the trailblazers on gender equality issues;
Inspired by the determination and hope presented by the young women during their consultative meeting in July 2011;
Recalling the concerns raised and resolutions taken during the National Rural Women’s Summit on 13-14 May 2011;
Noting the issues highlighted during the consultation with women in media on 29 July 2011;
Recognizing the lived experiences articulated by women during the “Face- to-Face” Session of the National Women’s Conference on 3 August 2011; and
Noting the resolutions that emerged from all commissions held on 2 August 2011
Hereby dedicate ourselves to collaborating on:
Addressing job creation, decent work and sustainable livelihoods for women, with particular emphasis on rural women and women with disabilities; Promoting education and skills development for women and girls, including in the science technology, engineering and mathematics fields; Decreasing maternal mortality and fostering the implementation of the “four zeros” as articulated in the conference to address women’s health issues especially HIV and AIDS; Advancing the empowerment and development of rural women and ensuring their food security and land reform; and Combating and eradicating all forms of gender based violence and ensuring the establishment of a National Council against Gender Based Violence
5 | P a g e We the women thank H.E Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, for gracing the First National Women’s Conference with his presence, and showing his commitment to addressing the issues of women’s empowerment and gender equality in the country.
Handed on behalf of all women to H.E Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa by Ms. Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities on this day 3 August 2011 at the Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a brief summary on the four-day National Women’s Conference held The Conference deliberations were from 31st July to 3rd August 2011 at the premised on Governments’ five Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg in Gauteng. national priorities and twelve critical The Department for Women, Children outcomes for 2009-2014. Hence the and People with Disabilities (DWCPD) theme for the conference was; as the lead department in Government “Working together for equal for the promotion and advancement of opportunities and progress for all women’s empowerment and gender women”, with the slogan “Forward equality convened the Conference. The to the Decade of African Women”. intention was to review the progress made in the implementation of gender The Conference aimed at consulting on equality and women’s empowerment substantive issues affecting and measures in pursuit of a national impacting on women’s lives through (i) gender agenda in the country. identifying ways to strengthen institutional arrangements that support More than one thousand (1000) women transformation and the implementation from different sectors in the country of gender equality and women’s attended the conference, including empowerment; (ii) reviewing the young women and the girl child, efficiency of the national gender women with disabilities, rural-based machinery; (iii) assessing mechanisms women, women in the informal sector towards bridging the gap between of the economy, elderly women, policy and practice for effective women in media, women in informal implementation, coordination and settlements and townships, accountability; (iv) providing the professional women, unemployed platform for women to articulate their women, women in business, women in concerns, needs and issues. small, medium and micro-enterprises, women in politics, women living with Based on the inputs from speakers and HIV and women in sport, among others. the discussions that ensued, the At least fifteen (15) members of the Conference emerged with the following Executive including Cabinet Ministers, outputs: Deputy Ministers and Premiers addressed the Conference.
6 | P a g e Concrete commitments and representation of women in mining and recommendations; energy sectors must be addressed by a Conference Declaration; and encouraging girls to get into an Outcome document engineering, science, technology and mathematics fields of study and work. All these documents were adopted The Conference expressed support for during the closing session of the the establishment of a land Conference on 3 August 2011. The management commission in order to documents are included within this look at the issue of land reform report. especially for women.
The programme for the four days of Women were encouraged to participate conferencing included (i) an Official in the upcoming Global Conference for Opening Ceremony; (ii) the States Parties (COP 17) on climate commemoration of the Pan African change as well as in all decision Women’s Day; (iii) the launching of the making forums. Women also supported South African Chapter on the African the need for the 365 days of action Union Decade for Women (2010-2020); against gender based violence as well (iv) discussions on women’s economic as the efforts to encourage HIV testing empowerment, rural women’s and the dedicated focus on reducing development, development and eliminating maternal mortality. partnerships, education of women and girls, women’s health issues, gender The Conference clearly pointed out that based violence, women and climate since 1994 the country has made change, poverty alleviation, and significant progress in putting in place women, peace and security and (v) a a legislative and policy framework for high-level Closing Ceremony presided advancing gender equality and over by the Deputy President of the women’s empowerment. Through the Republic of South Africa. The Constitution and a range of Conference also included a session comprehensive statutory provisions the entitled “Face to Face: Sharing of Lived rights of women and girls have been experiences” where women from promoted and protected. different sectors addressed the conference. It also noted that while progress has been made on a number of gender Deliberations during the Conference equality fronts there is at the same showed that women were in full time a consistent and growing concern support of a gender equality bill. with a range of matters regarding the Women received the presentation of institutionalization of the women’s the new growth path very well, and agenda for societal transformation and welcomed the resolution by the the inalienable realization of women’s Minister of Economic Development that rights. 50% of all new loans issued by the Khula Fund will be targeted to women. It was overtly pointed out that we are The Conference also highlighted that still to realize full de facto equality or the challenge of the severe under true equality in practice. Many
7 | P a g e challenges remain in the creation of a through the various programmes, women-friendly environment and an including Bavumile, SAWEN and TWIB, engendered society which is capable of among others; (iv) the Department of eradicating the many practices that Public Works to make the EPWP constrains women’s advancement and available to sponsor projects for empowerment. women on building and environmental conservation and to drive for women Some of the issues that emerged to be 50% of the work force on EPWP; during the Conference include: (i) (v) the Department for Economic access to Information; (ii) the need for Development to engender the New continuous dialogue between all Growth Path and ensure that the Khula relevant role-players; (iii) that there Fund and other empowerment funds must be a concerted effort to focus on award at least 50% of all new loans to a ‘Green Agenda’ with special women to start up businesses or grow emphasis on the opportunities for existing ones; (vi) the Department of economic empowerment for women; Mineral Resources to ensure the Mining (iv) expanding opportunities for women Charter advance opportunities for in the sectors that have been women in the mining industry, previously considered ‘men’s work’, for including for young women; (vii) the example, agriculture, technology, Department of Energy to expand and mining, construction and defense; (v) sustain education, training and skills engendering the New Growth Path development in the clean energy space Framework and the Jobs Fund; (vi) for women through the Clean Energy creating opportunities for women to Education and Empowerment (C-3E) access financing for economic Women Initiative; (viii) the Department empowerment and development of of Home Affairs to provide support women as entrepreneurs; and (vii) mechanisms to mothers to ensure that elimination of gender based violence. babies are registered within thirty (30) days of birth; (ix) the Department of There were several commitments Correctional Services to deal with the made during the Conference, including: issues of children that arise from (i) The DWCPD to hold bilateral women being incarcerated; (x) the meetings and sign MOUs with Department of Rural Development and Government National Departments and Land Reform to ensure that women Premiers’ Offices at the provincial level farmers are brought into the sector and to build partnerships and develop joint supported through land acquisition, strategies for taking forward the equipment and skills; (xi) the women’s empowerment and gender Department of Labour to ensure that equality programme of action; (ii) the companies and individual employers National Policy on Women’s are compliant with labour laws and Empowerment and Gender Equality focus on conditions of work of domestic and the Gender Equality Bill to review workers: (xii) the Department of gaps in current implementation, Human Settlements to support skills policies and legislation and ensure development and training for women compliance; (iii) dti to continue to through the Women’s Build Project; advance opportunities for women (xiii) the SANDF to ensure that women
8 | P a g e from South Africa continue to play an targeted interventions to achieve more integral role in peace building and inclusive growth; (iii) rural women’s peace keeping missions, and in development through increased job promoting the implementation of creation, of the five hundred-thousand UNSCR 1325, 1880,1888 and 1889 on (500 000) jobs that will be created in women, peace and security; (xiv) the the rural sector between 2011 and Department of International Relations 2020, at least 50% of the jobs to be and Cooperation to ensure that a allocated to rural women, increased National Plan of Action on UNSCR 1325 access and ownership of land where at is developed and implemented in the least 50% ownership by women of the country; (xv) the Department of Water 411 recapitalized farms, 30% women and Environmental Affairs to ensure ownership of the 27 irrigation schemes the engendering of all national that will be revitalized in the current preparations for COP 17; (xvi) the UN MTEF, 50% of state owned farms (UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, UN awarded to women farmers, and Women, ILO) to support gender special programmes to foster equality and women’s empowerment resourcing of both finances and in the country, including support for equipment for women farmers; (iv) economic empowerment through the mineral resources and women’s Global Women’s Fund, and eradicating empowerment through skills building violence against women and children for women to enter the mining sector, through the UN Trust Fund; and (xvii) engender the Small Scale Mining the World Bank to make funding Strategy and ensure that the Mining available for women empowerment Charter promotes opportunities for programmes in the country. women, especially young women and rural women in mining related sectors. Four major recommendations emerged from the Conference, with several Overall deliberations during the smaller activities contained within Conference indicated that dealing with each. These are: (i) that equity the legacy of discrimination that measures must be mainstreamed women face, means that we must look across the work of government; (ii) at how we transform society, in economic empowerment, job particular the transformation of power creation and sustainable relations between women and men, livelihoods for women through an institution and laws. This is engendered New Growth Path, the fundamental to building an inclusive, Industrial Policy Action Plan, EPWP, progressive and prosperous society. increase by 30% number of women We must, as a country, put together accessing finance through the Isivande our collective efforts – government, Women’s Fund and other existing private sector, the public sector, labour funds, increase support to women- movement and civil society – towards owned business enterprises; prioritize addressing gender oppression, women in investment growth and patriarchy, structural oppression, male employment creation; and promote domination and in creating a conducive women’s involvement in broad-based environment which enables women to economic participation through take control of their lives.
9 | P a g e CONTENTS
Foreword 03 Conference Declaration 04 Executive Summary 05 Acronyms 09
PART 1: INTRODUCTION 10 1.1 Background and context 11
1.2 Purpose of the Conference 11
1.3 Objectives of the Conference 11
1.4 Expected Outputs of the Conference 13
1.5 Overarching theme and sub-themes 13
PART 2: CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 14 2.1 Official Opening and Pan African Women’s Day Celebration: 31 July 2011 16
2.2 Engendering the Priorities of Government: 1-3 August 2011 19
2.2.1 Women’s Economic Empowerment 19
2.2.2 Rural Women’s Development and Poverty Alleviation 22
2.2.3 Education 23
2.2.4 Gender Based Violence 23
2.2.5 Women and Climate Change 24
2.2.6 Women, Peace and Security 24
2.2.7 Development Partnerships 26
2.3 Face-to-Face: Sharing of Lived Experiences: 3 August 2011 28
10 | P a g e 2.4 Official Closing Ceremony: 3 August 2011 31
2.4.1 Media Briefing 31
2.4.2 Closure of the Conference 31
PART 3: ANALYSIS 33
PART 4: CONFERENCE OUTCOMES, COMMITMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 38 4.1 Conference Key Emerging Issues 39
4.2 Conference Commitments 40
4.3 Recommendations for advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality 42
4.4 Outcome Document of the Conference 47
ACRONYMS
Dti : Department of Trade and Industry DWCPD : Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities ECD : Early Childhood Development EPWP : Expanded Public Works Programme HIV : Human Immunodeficiency Virus MDG : Millennium Development Goal MOU : Memorandum of Understanding NYDA : National Youth Development Agency PAWO : Pan African Women’s Organization SANDF : South African National Defence Force SAWEN : South African Women Entrepreneurs Network TWIB : Technology for Women in Business UIF : Unemployment Insurance Fund UN : United Nations UNFPA : United Nations Population Fund UNICEF : United Nations Childrens Education Fund UNSCR : United Nations Security Council Resolution WARD : Women in Agriculture and Rural Development JHB : Johannesburg DPSA : Disabled People South Africa AU : African Union COSATU : Congress of South African Trade Unions MEC : Member of the Executive Committee PWMSA : Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa STIs : Sexually Transmitted Infections COP 17 : 17th Conference of State Parties SA : South Africa (n)
11 | P a g e PART 1
INTRODUCTION
12 | P a g e 1.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT women’s voices on issues that directly impact them and which determines This document is a brief report on the their safety and the quality of their National Women’s Conference held lives and that of their families, as well from 31st July to 3rd August 2011. The as to engage the women’s sector on Department for Women, Children and the strategic direction of the national People with Disabilities (DWCPD) as gender programme going forward. the lead department in Government for the promotion and advancement of Consequently such a process was women’s empowerment and gender envisaged as a broad national equality convened the Conference. The consultation involving women from intention was to review the progress across the spectrum of society and one made in the implementation of gender that was fully inclusive, keeping in equality and women’s empowerment mind that women in South Africa do measures in pursuit of a national not constitute a homogenous group. gender agenda in the country. The This meant that we had to take Conference was held at the Birchwood cognizance of and be partial to the Hotel, Boksburg in Gauteng. special needs of young women and the girl child, women with disabilities, This type of National Conference was rural-based women, women in the the first event of this nature to be informal sector of the economy, elderly hosted by the Department since its women, women in media, women in inception in 2009. More than one informal settlements and townships, thousand (1000) women from different professional women, unemployed sectors in the country attended the women, women in business, women in four-day conference. The intention was small, medium and micro-enterprises, to create the space and platform for women in politics, women living with 13 | P a g e HIV and AIDS and women in sport, women and widows, among other among others. sectors to ensure that all sectors as far As such the DWCPD undertook several as is possible is able to determine the sector consultations with women in the national gender agenda going forward. build-up to and follow-on after the conference to ensure that women’s All consultations and dialogue, voices are given as broad a platform as including the National Women’s possible. The process of consultations Conference is premised on the five included: national priorities of government and provides the foundation for discussing a National Summit for Rural progress, challenges and Women held on 13-14 May recommendations going forward. 2011 in Tzaneen, Limpopo where approximately 400 rural The five national priorities are: women from across all 9 provinces participated; (i) Job creation, decent work and sustainable livelihoods,; a National Young Women’s (ii) Education; Summit from 21-22 July 2011 in (iii) Health; the Premier Hotel, OR Tambo, (iv) Rural Development, food JHB where approximately 300 security and land reform; young women from across the and country participated. This was (v) the fight against crime and done in partnership between corruption; DWCPD, NYDA and the UNFPA; In addition, substantive discussions during the Conference, and in all other a short meeting with women in national consultative meetings, were the media on 29 July 2011 based on Government’s twelve critical where about 20 media women outcomes for 2009-2014, namely: participated; (1) Quality basic education; (2) A long and healthy life for all a National Summit for Women South Africans; with Disabilities held on 29 (3) All people in SA are and feel August 2011 in the Premier safe; Hotel, OR Tambo, JHB where (4) Decent employment through about 300 women with inclusive economic growth; disabilities from all nine (5) Skilled and capable workforce to provinces participated. support an inclusive growth path; The DWCPD is embarking upon a series (6) An efficient, competitive and of provincial consultations including responsive economic rural women, women with disabilities, infrastructure network; domestic workers, women in small business and informal trade, young
14 | P a g e (7) Vibrant, equitable, sustainable (4) a National Council against rural communities contributing Gender Based Violence; towards food security for all; (5) the Plan of Action on the 365 (8) Sustainable human settlements Days of No Violence against and improved quality of Women; and household life; (6) Engendering the New Growth (9) Responsive, accountable, Path and the Job Fund. effective and efficient Local Government system; It was envisaged that the role of men (10) Protect and enhance our and boys in advancing women’s environmental assets and empowerment and gender equality will natural resources; permeate all discussions during the (11) Create a better South Africa, a Conference. better Africa and a better world; and 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE (12) An efficient, effective and CONFERENCE development oriented public service and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship. The objectives of the Conference aimed at consulting on substantive issues affecting and impacting on women’s lives through: 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE identifying ways to strengthen the institutional arrangements in The Conference was meant to re- the country to support examine progress made by transformation and the government and development partners implementation of gender towards commitments of a non-sexist equality and women’s society, identifying shortcomings and empowerment; propose recommendations that would ensure that women’s issues and gender equality are mainstreamed reviewing the efficiency of the across public and private institutions. national gender machinery; assessing mechanisms towards The intention was to consult with the bridging the gap between policy women’s sector towards the and practice, thus ensuring development of: effective implementation, (1) a National Strategy and coordination and accountability; Implementation Plan for Rural Women’s Development; providing the platform for (2) a National Policy on Women’s women to articulate their Empowerment and Gender concerns, needs and issues. This Equality towards a Gender included rural women, young Equality Bill; women, women in labour (3) Women, Peace and Security Plan movements, women in informal of Action on UNSCR 1325; trade and small business, and 15 | P a g e women with disabilities, among Conference on 3 August 2011. The others; documents are appended within this report. discussions on the development of a national plan of action on 1.5 OVERARCHING THEME AND women, peace and security, and SUBTHEMES the 365 Day National Plan of Action on ending gender based violence; The theme for the conference was: “Working together for equal creating the space for women to opportunities and progress for all engage on job creation, decent women”, with the slogan “Forward work and economic to the Decade of African Women”. empowerment programmes. Underlying the overarching theme is 1.4 EXPECTED OUTPUTS OF THE the need to address challenges and obstacles that face women in their CONFERENCE quest for advancement, development and empowerment. Most obstacles to the development of women can be Based on the inputs from speakers and related to poverty, violence and the discussions that ensued, the abuse, and inadequate access to Conference emerged with the following education, employment, health care, outputs: income generation and legal representation. Underpinning all of Concrete commitments and these is the ideological base of recommendations; patriarchy, stereotypic attitudes, a Conference Declaration; and concept of institutionalization of an Outcome document sexism and the notion of power - by men, women themselves, society, law All these documents were adopted and institutions. during the closing session of the
16 | P a g e PART 2
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
17 | P a g e The National Women’s Conference took President of the Republic of place over four days. It comprised South Africa plenary sessions based on the five The Conference also included a session national priorities where speakers entitled “Face to Face: Sharing of provided inputs on different topics in Lived experiences” where women the various sub-themes. These sessions from different sectors addressed the also included discussions and conference. These included deliberations on the various sub- representatives from: themes. On day three, the Conference broke into Commissions based on COSATU on women in the labour specific sub-themes where delegates movement; were able to further deliberate on issues. Elle Magazine on women in media; The programme for the four days of conferencing included: National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on young an Official Opening Ceremony; women and economic the commemoration of the Pan empowerment; NYDA also read African Women’s Day; the Declaration from the Young Women’s Summit held on 21-22 the launching of the South July 2011; African Chapter on the African Union (AU) Decade for Women Disabled People South Africa (2010-2020); (DPSA) on women with disabilities; discussions on women’s economic empowerment, rural Positive Women’s Network on women’s development, women living with HIV; development partnerships, Women in Agriculture and Rural education of women and girls, Development (WARD) on rural women’s health issues, gender women; based violence, women and climate change, poverty National House of Traditional alleviation, and women, peace Leaders on the role of women in and security. traditional leadership; and
a high-level Closing Ceremony Sonke Gender Justice on the presided over by the Deputy role of men and boys in
18 | P a g e advancing women’s 2020 and the Campaign on HIV and empowerment and gender AIDS and blood donation. Hon. equality. Bathabile Dlamini, Minister of Social Development and Hon Nosiviwe The report which follows provides a Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of brief summary of the inputs made by Correctional Services co-chaired the speakers during the different plenary programme of the evening. sessions and is aligned according to the sub-themes outlined above. Ms Lerato Mofokeng, a young woman Detailed inputs are captured in the delegate from Northern Cape, led the analysis of the discussions in Part singing of the national anthem. Three and in the Recommendations in Welcome remarks on behalf of the Hon. Part Four of the Report. Ms. Nomvula Mokonyana, Premier of Gauteng Province was read by Ms Faith Mazibuko, MEC for Safety and Security, Gauteng. Ms Lebo Mashile, Ambassador of “Say no to child pornography”, rendered a moving poem to the Conference.
Hon. Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities in her opening address made reference to the South African Chapter of the AU African Women’s Decade (2010-2020) and linked this initiative to the opportunity and space provided by the National Women’s Conference for women to discuss critical issues affecting them. She 2.1 OFFICIAL OPENING & PAN emphasized that the space created will AFRICAN WOMEN’S DAY assist the DWCPD focus on the CELEBRATION: 31 JULY 2011 strategic direction for advancing the struggle for women’s empowerment and gender equality and to coordinate a programme of action affecting The conference was officially opened women across the continent. She with a gala dinner on 31st July to mark added that the conference would guide Pan African Women’s Day and to discussion towards key political launch the South African Chapter of the considerations and the engendering of AU African Women’s Decade 2010-
19 | P a g e the New Growth Path Framework. The Parliament is an integral part of full speech is annexed to this Report. advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality in the country, and In his address, Dr Agostino Zacharias, particularly stressed that it was United Nations (UN) Resident important in terms of protecting Representative, made a presentation women against abuse. The inclusion of on UN support for gender equality and women in Parliament must bring women’s empowerment. He made positive change to the lives of all reference to a renewed commitment to women in the country. advancing women in the country - a determination to move from rhetoric to Ms Lulama Nare, representative of the action. He stated that this move Executive Committee of the required the sharing of social, political Progressive Women’s Movement of and economic power between women South Africa (PWMSA), gave a brief and men, adding that “there is no rich input on the PWMSA. She then stated country with poor women.” He that it was the civil society movement furthermore acknowledged the role in South Africa which played a large that men must play in renewing their role in the freedom struggles of the commitment to enhancing the past, resulting in the freedom the women’s empowerment and gender country enjoys today. On behalf of the equality strategy in South Africa. Equal PWMSA, she articulated support for the opportunities for men and women campaigns being launched jointly by remains very important; including in the Minister of Health and the Minister the areas of achieving parliamentary of Women, Children and People with seats for women and employment of Disabilities, encouraging women to test women in the formal sector, where for HIV/AIDS and STI’s. She further many women are still unemployed or advocated that women must continue employed in informal jobs with low to go for tests at local health clinics. wages. Dr. Zacharias emphasized that Hon Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, Deputy the global economic crises has actually Minister of Trade and Industry read a resulted in the increase of unpaid work speech on behalf of Hon Ms Angie for women. Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, The Hon. Dorothy Ramodibe, which touched on issues such as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee gender discrimination which is still far for Women, Children, Youth and People from over. She passed on the message with Disabilities shared information on from Minister Motshekga that the the role of Parliament in the AU African Conference needs to engage with the Women’s Decade (2010-2020). She problem of gender discrimination and touched on the issue that the sexism and to enhance empowerment representation of women in National
20 | P a g e of women by everyone working “zero new HIV born babies by 2015”. together. Minister Motsoaledi identified the 4 main causes of death in the country as: Prof Sheila Tlou, Director, Regional (i) HIV/AIDS and TB, including cervical Support, East and Southern Africa, cancer especially in pregnant women; UNAIDS, talked about Gender, HIV & (ii) violence and injury; (iii) non- AIDS within the pan-African women’s communicable diseases; and (iv) poor decade. She congratulated the maternal, new born and child health. Government for the conference which He added that the rates of HIV created a critical platform for prevalence in the country indicates discussion and debate regarding that more females are dying of AIDS gender inequality and economic than are men, adding that it is an disempowerment. She urged all anomaly given that normally, women’s delegates to the Conference to work life expectancy is longer than that of towards a world of three zero’s: “zero men. Young people are dying at a new HIV infections; zero discrimination faster rate than older people. and zero gender based violence”. She also encouraged the women of the Hon Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, country to work together towards Minister of Home Affairs, presented a achieving equal opportunities for key note address on “Pan African everyone. Prof Tlou reiterated that the Women’s Day and Significance of the face of HIV is still that of a woman but African Women’s Decade, 2010-2020: it is promising to know that South South African Chapter”. In her Africa has scaled up services. She presentation, Dr Dlamini-Zuma touched added that a disabled woman with HIV on the following: is faced with 3 challenges namely that of being a woman; being disabled and the emancipation of women is being HIV positive. critical on the continent; a need to ensure that this develops both Hon. Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of socially and economically. She Health, made a presentation on emphasised that we should not “Maternal Mortality, HIV and AIDS: How expect young girls to be is South Africa implementing the theme assertive and confident when of the Africa Women’s Decade 2010- they become young women if 2020 and Launching of the Campaign they were never guided during on HIV and AIDS and Blood Donation”. their young, formative years. In his presentation, the Minister emphasized the need for HCT and Women are powerful; they just donating blood to save lives. He spoke need to support one another; to the three zero’s mentioned by Prof Tlou, and included a fourth zero on
21 | P a g e Young women must be trained women testing for HIV and ensuring to be able to be in positions that they take care of themselves. She where they can have a voice; to spoke about taking preventative ensure that when the economy measures and advocating for an grows, and the country is well on HIV/AIDS free life. She also mentioned its new growth path, that women that ignorance is a challenge as it are part of the planning and perpetuates discrimination. implementation. Ms. Lebo Mashile, ambassador of “Say Minister Dlamini-Zuma highlighted the No to Child Prostitution”, cited a poem campaign to register new babies within about the emotions and sorrows 30 days of their births. She emphasized experienced women. the significance of this campaign given The evening ended with the signing of the challenges experienced when a memorandum of understanding people request for changes of date of (MOU) between Ms. Lulu Xingwana, birth for various reasons. This has in Minister for Women, Children and the past led to significant problems for People with Disabilities and Dr. Aaron women as primary care givers who Motsoaledi, Minister of Health on issues need correct documentation to receive of women’s health. Both Ministers then necessary services for themselves and embarked on beating the drums as a their children. call to the country to heed the Hon. Fatima Nahara: Secretary-General campaigns on testing for HIV and the of Pan African Women’s Organization donation of blood. (PAWO), presented on “Going Forward: Launch of the South African Chapter of the African Women’s Decade, 2010- 2020”. PAWO is an organization which has been in existence for the past forty-nine (49) years, and has a strong history of supporting women’s issues and women’s rights on the African continent. PAWO comprises 5 regions namely southern, eastern, northern, western and central regions which are all committed to a united agenda on advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality in the continent.
Ms Criselda Khananda, HIV& AIDS ambassador, emphasized the value of
22 | P a g e 2.2 ENGENDERING THE PRIORITIES OF GOVERNMENT: 1-3 AUGUST 2011
This section of the report provides a (ii) the Bavumile program that is synopsis of the inputs made by structured to assist women speakers according to each of the sub- starting businesses such as themes namely women’s economic within the textile industry, where empowerment; rural women’s support will be given to design, development; poverty alleviation; sewing garments, marketing and education; gender based violence; access to export markets; women and climate change; women, peace and security (UNSRC 1325); and development partnerships. (iii)the Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) programmes 2.2.1 WOMEN’S ECONOMIC that is structured to support EMPOWERMENT technology for women in business. Ms. Thabethe 2.2.1.1 Hon Ms. Elizabeth Thabethe, encouraged delegates to Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry nominate women who do spoke on “Women in trade: Support for extraordinary technological work formal and informal sectors”. She gave for the annual TWIB awards a detailed account of the kind of where women that win can be support available to women through exposed to other technologies, the Department of Trade and Industry get more training and be better (dti). This included programmes for: in their businesses. She also announced that the winner will (i) small businesses and get a chance to go to the Global international trade; Summit, in Athens in May 2012 where they can participate with around 40 other countries and
23 | P a g e discuss networks, different stakeholders within the broader programmes, etc. She mentioned society. She added that the State that the sub-branch of TWIB is Owned Enterprise attached to the the Techno-girls programme. Department is currently chaired by a female.
(iv) The Isibindi programme in She also stated that women should be partnership with IDC. central to the energy issue. In line with this, the Department introduced the policy on energy mix in 1994 and by (v) The South African Women’s 2014 women must be in the centre of Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN) all energy processes. South Africa is programme is a business fossil coal driven; therefore it is development, mentoring and necessary to empower women to turn training support facility that is waste into energy. She encouraged assisting women’s cooperatives to that for economic improvement we understand the concepts of ought to use available resources in the business and marketing. Deputy country and manufacture our own Minister Thabethe encouraged products so that we do not rely on women to join SAWEN whose imports from other countries. She membership fee is R300 per year encouraged women to participate in which includes networking and the clean energy drive; and particularly mentoring and assisting women to encouraged children, especially girls to develop economically. enroll for science, math and technology subjects. She pointed out that issues The range of support programmes can that need to be supported include: (i) be found on the dti website, however the need to empower women to turn women who do not have access to waste into energy; (ii) the voices of internet technology were urged to visit women in ensuring that nuclear energy government offices and enjoy direct is safe; (iii) the role of women in contact with relevant officials. economic development and local manufacture of products; and (iv) the 2.2.1.2 Hon. Ms Dipuo Peters: Minister role and participation of women in the of Energy gave an address on:” Women clean-energy drive. and Energy: Expanding opportunities for women in the energy sector”. She 2.2.1.3 Hon. Minister Gwen Mahlangu- focused on women and alternative Nkabinde, Minister of Public Works, energy which is a rapidly growing spoke on the Expanded Public Works component in the energy sector. This is Programme (EPWP) which has had a so because of women’s role in society positive impact on women’s lives. She as the primary users of energy and the acknowledged that only few women associated care component. The are involved in the projects, but Department of Energy thus wants to advised that the EPWP is available to consciously put women in the fore sponsor projects that are geared front; both as leaders within the towards building and construction that department itself, as well as leading utilizes indigenous knowledge as well
24 | P a g e as support environmental conservation. Support increase in the number of She stressed that currently too few women registered in the mining women are involved in the industry; conservation of indigenous knowledge, even though women themselves are often the vessels of the knowledge that Create the mechanisms for an needs to be passed on through to the enabling environment for young next generation. The Department of women entering the mining fields Public Works remains committed to ensuring that (i) the EPWP is available to sponsor projects on building and Procurement policies must give environmental conservation through preference to women; the Indigenous Building Material Project to help women build using indigenous material, (ii) put in place mechanisms ensure that women can access that will support women to be 50% of funding; the work force on EPWP.
2.2.1.4 Hon. Ms Susan Shabangu, set up opportunities and dialogues Minister of Mineral Resources spoke between mining and communities to on” Expanding Opportunities for ensure women can realise their women in Mining: Ownership and potential; Employment.” She stressed the importance of knowledge in order to overcome discrimination. An example More women need to be trained in of this would be knowledge of the way business skills; in which the industry recruits workers. The Department is guided by the Mining Charter which underpins the More women must participate in the sustainability of the mining industry; mining sector and claim their pride and it is this charter which if of place. engendered will support the empowerment of women in the 2.2.1.5 Hon. Ms Olifant, Minister of industry. Labour, in a presentation on the role of the Department of Labour in supporting Her advice to the Conference was to: women empowerment, shared ideas regarding fair labour practice. These Promote and utilize the existing Skill include: (i) to ensure that all companies Base Mining Charter which is integral and all employers are compliant with to its strategic implementation; the labour laws of the country; (ii) to register domestic workers and ensure Ensure access to networks that are that they also receive their benefits focused on reducing inequalities; e.g. UIF – this specifically as many women who were at the conference are the employers of domestic workers, (iii)
25 | P a g e to ensure job seekers know how to themselves can feel the sense of not register at employment services only being a beneficiary of housing but branches that are set up for this can also contribute to the provision of purpose and to offer advice on work housing within the community. This issues. project which brings together a number of stakeholders from government, the She also stressed the need to know private sector and civil society is more about the role that women play in successful because in the short-term it both the formal and informal is about ‘building housing units but in economies; thus research is integral to the long run, building communities’. future planning according to needs of The Project intends to build 56 houses women. She also indicated that the in line with the 1956 Women’s March. Department provides information on In 2011, houses will be built in how to apply for mining rights; how the Branford, the area where Ms. Winnie UIF works and how to claim from Madikezela-Mandela was under house compensation fund and the UIF; arrest during the height of the widows’ rights to benefits; inspection Apartheid struggles. and enforcement of regulations. She added that the Employment Services 2.2.1.7 Hon Mr. Ebrahim Patel, Minister division in the Department registers job of Economic Development spoke on seekers and advises them on how to “Women and the New Growth Path”. get access to opportunities. Minister The New Growth Path recognizes the Olifant also indicated that the legacy of discrimination, lack of access Department works with issues of to basic services, as well as high sheltered employment factories for unemployment particularly among the those injured at work and for youth and black women. employment for people with Unemployment in the country stands at disabilities. 25% but for African women it is at 50%, i.e. 1 out of 2 people. This has lead to 2.2.1.6 Hon. Ms Zou Kota-Fredericks: African women still carrying the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements heaviest burden of poverty; spoke on “Expanding economic unemployment or employment in very opportunities for women: National low paying jobs, mainly domestic work. Women’s Build 2011”. This project is a The Minister also stated that 3 out of partnership between the People’s every 4 women are in jobs that pay Housing Project and the Department of around R1500 per month. Human Settlements and is focused on providing housing for elderly women, He added that the New Growth Path women with disabilities and for Framework comprises targets in orphaned and vulnerable children. It specific to create new jobs over the utilizes the skills of women in the next 10 years (5 million jobs). Job actual construction of homes. The drivers include (i) infrastructure; (ii) objectives of the National Women’s main economic sectors; (iii) new Build project is thus; (i) to promote economies; and (iv) social capital. Job access to housing and (ii) to promote drivers for women include (i) create volunteerism, where women short term employment programmes,
26 | P a g e e.g. CWP; (ii) Infrastructure 2.2.2 RURAL WOMEN’S development; (iii) the social economy; DEVELOPMENT AND (iv) agriculture and rural development; POVERTY ALLEVIATION (v) tourism and the public services; (vi) the social economy. He added that 2.2.2.1 Hon. Ms. Bathabile Dlamini, women are currently strongly Minister of Social Development spoke represented in jobs in light on poverty alleviation and sustainable manufacturing. In mining the gender livelihoods. Her presentation focused profile is very stuck; women are on the vulnerability of women and girls strongly represented in what we do who bear the brunt of poverty because with our minerals, and not in extraction of their roles as primary caregivers and processes underground itself. limited access to opportunities. Areas of support and initiatives targeted by Managing the process of engendering the Department of Social Development the New Growth Path and Job Fund is therefore include: ensuring that the economy becomes more inclusive and responsive to the ECD which is central to women being needs of women who are the most able to access opportunities for marginalized. The Minister emphasized learning and skills development. This that the Department of Economic enables them to play a more Development is therefore committed to effective role in ensuring a raised ensuring that the job drivers become standard of living at the household engendered and also create job level. Currently the ECD programme opportunities for women within is 90% supported by Government. municipalities e.g. short term She added that rather than opening / employment programmes like the initiating too many ECD centres, we ‘community worker programme’, must concentrate on ensuring that infrastructure development, the social there is quality in the existing economy, agriculture and rural centres. Subsidy for the centres development, tourism and the public must be standardised. Some of the services. To support this, policy challenges include the lack of priorities will include: curriculum; instead there are only norms and standards for ECD. She Skills training that is designed to stated that this must be corrected. ensure that women get training and mentorship in relevant industries; Rural development ECD programmes that can bring about equal access A focus on support to small business, and support to rural children as with the area where many women are urban children. This includes quality currently operating; and learning programmes, safe centres, subsidies that must be standardized, as well as parents who actively At least 50% of all new loans from engage in the ECD programmes and Khula Funds must go to women. do not leave it all up to government.
27 | P a g e Social issues are also being addressed within communities e.g. The gender equality question is misuse of grants that are not being fundamental to the issue of agricultural used in the interests of the child, development, as well as growth and substance abuse, child-headed prosperity. Thus women, who bear the households. brunt of lack of services e.g. water, where they are forced to draw water from a stream where animals drink and Addressing the issue of child-headed children play, need to have a voice in households: In the next 3 years 300 policy development and child minders to be employed; which implementation of land reform. The is a big challenge; Minister expressed the need for women to become more familiar with the ISIBINDI model to be strengthened support initiatives that are being working with CBO’s; provided by Government and to then be prepared to take up programmes and participate in skills development Social development trying to projects. There must be a land mobilise communities; trying to build management commission in the social capital country to be able to subpoena anybody who takes land unlawfully; 2.2.2.2 Hon. Mr Gugile Nkwinti, this commission will be able to Minister of Rural Development and confiscate the land from unlawful Land Reform presented on:”Green owners. Paper on Land Reform and Green Paper on Rural Development: The Minister highlighted a successful Engendering for Women’s case study where 36 women work on a Development and Advancement”. ‘If farm where there is no tractor; yet they we take away the land from the are able to produce and sell in markets. people, they will no longer be able to These women farmers have sustain the indigenous knowledge and accumulated R1.8 million in their bank practices.’ account to date. He added that by November 2010, there were about 200 The Minister added that the Green women farmers in the country. He Paper on Land Reform identifies the indicated that historically land has challenge of communal tenure, always been given to men, but they do institutionalization of youth rights; nothing with it; while women need this custom and tradition. Communal land land in rural areas. The Minister tenure remains one of the greatest emphasized that should such land be challenges in land reform. Patriarchy is given to women, they would farm the general and it cuts across all races, lands and contribute to the economy. some communities still believes that only sons must inherit the land. 2.2.3 EDUCATION Difficulties includes who owns and who works the land, as well as who benefits 2.2.3.1 Hon. Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize, from the land. Deputy Minister of Higher Education,
28 | P a g e spoke about “Access and Participation Girl children must be encouraged to of Women and Girls in Education, do maths and sciences; mines in Training, Science and Technology some areas are asked to give including the promotion of Women’s exposure to learners so that they equal access to full Employment and have a sense of what the work is Decent Work”. She said that the about; learners get an interest in mandate of higher education must be some kinds of work that they know; strengthened to ensure increased “work exposure helps to shape the access and participation of women and child”; girls.
The Department is thus focusing on key areas of intervention that will support this mandate, including: 2.2.4 GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Increased access to education for a 2.2.4.1 Hon. Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa- girl child, including rural girls and Nqakula, Minister of Correctional girls with disabilities Services spoke on women incarcerated for gender based violence. She delved Every disabled child must have a into the reasons, including socio- top-up fund for their education; economic reasons, for women R14000 set aside per child to fund committing crimes and the subsequent their education and to buy necessary impact on family structure and the equipment rearing of children. Current statistics show that more young people are Different task teams to look at the entering the prison system. It is design of a curriculum to train new therefore incumbent on society to teachers and to make sure that they encourage a culture of listening in are gender sensitive; order for women to appreciate and support their children and to ensure that children do not pursue self Educate the communities and revise destructive lifestyles. With this in mind, all the structures that defended the the Department for Correctional school system; teachers must no Services is committed to supporting longer come late to the school; there halfway houses near correctional must no longer be liquor outlets near facilities so that, (i) the children below the schools as these encourage two years, of women prisoners, can learners to drink grow in a normal environment; (ii) for homeless children to ensure that they can be kept in an environment of SETAS are very important and we transition need them to assist learners to acquire skills needed especially in 2.2.4.2 Hon. Ms Maggie Sotyu, Deputy science and technology Minister of Police spoke on “Addressing violence against women and girls: Closing the challenges and gaps
29 | P a g e between policy and implementation”. background to COP 17 scheduled to Her presentation shared insights of the take place from 28 November to 9 daily lives of women police officers who December 2011 in Durban, South face violent crime and experience the Africa. She spoke on the need to dangers of society without necessarily consider issues that are relevant to feeling protected themselves. The women as a result of climate change. number of police officers who have been killed in the course of duty is All industrialized counties emit gases cause for concern. She thus asked key into the atmosphere, but South Africa, questions about ways in which, women as Africa’s biggest emitter of gases, is deal with criminality: “Some criminals engaging in a country climate change are our husbands, son in laws and sons response strategy. These climate but we don’t do anything to confront changes lead to erratic rainfalls them? Why not? What is our role in resulting in sicknesses like malaria, ensuring a safer society for women and drought, failed crops, traditional food children?” becoming scarce and poverty. These factors make women and girls even Conference delegates were thus asked more vulnerable. Climate change to consider some of the following impacts in specific ways on women and issues, (i) the ways in which we they must begin to take control and become better implementers of policy, lead the campaign towards eliminating (ii) the mechanisms to ensure that the the effects of climate change. Thus the empowerment of women becomes a Department is planning a series of key facet in ensuring that planning and events and provincial dialogues which resourcing of initiatives are in the will assist women to be part of COP 17. interests of a safer society, and (iii) the role of a Gender equality Bill in 2.2.6 WOMEN, PEACE AND ensuring a safer society for all. SECURITY
Ms. Sotyu stated that “changing laws 2.2.6.1 Ms Zanele Hlatswayo, from the must change lives.... if we fail to PWMSA spoke on “Feedback from the implement those acts, we are failing PWMSA Conference on Women, Peace women”. and Security” held earlier in 2011 in JHB towards the development and 2.2.5 WOMEN AND CLIMATE implementation of a road map for the CHANGE UNSCR 1325. The 150 international women participants at that conference 2.2.5.1 Ms. Nosipho Jeziel-Ngcaba, came from different sectors and Director-General, Department of counties. They shared their knowledge Environmental Affairs spoke on behalf and experience of Congo, South Sudan of Ms Edna Molewa: Minister of Water and Zimbabwe during the programme and Environmental Affairs on “Women that focused on UNSCR 1325, 1820, and Climate Change: Conference of 1888 and 1899. State Parties (COP 17) – Engendering The outcomes of that conference National Preparations”. The tasked the PWMSA to: (i) develop a presentation focused on the multi sectoral plan, (ii) establish local
30 | P a g e and national campaigns, (iii) get individuals who need protection, government support in mediation among others. efforts in conflict areas, (iv) form partnerships that will support continent 2.2.6.3 Ms Ruby Marks, Department of interventions e.g. training on International Relations and Cooperation mediation and partnership for twenty spoke on behalf of Hon Ms Maite women. Nkoana-Mashabane: Minister of International Relations and 2.2.6.2 Major General Nombulelo Cooperation. She addressed the issue Motumi, South African National of “Mainstreaming Gender into UNSCR Defence Force spoke on behalf of Hon 1325 towards the development of a Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Defence, National Plan of Action”. The UNSCR on “Engendering peace building and 1325 (adopted in 2000) recognizes the peace keeping missions from South importance of promoting gender Africa”. The UNSCR 1325 mandates equality and the empowerment of states parties to protect women and women in order to achieve the goals of girls against sexual violence during peace and development, and times of political conflict. This emphasizes the critical role member resolution was adopted because mainly states can play in that respect. The women and children suffer the brunt of resolution urges member states to take sexual violence in conflict areas. action at the national level in the following key areas: (i) women's Thus women are being deployed in participation in decision-making and different capacities, including as peace processes; (ii) the protection of female peace keepers to use their women and girls; and (iii) gender knowledge and strategic positions to training. Development of the South serve as role models towards peace Africa Plan of Action which has been a and stability. They also provide advice participatory process is a framework to the commander on the ground, based on 4 pillars: (i) policy; (ii) which in turn strengthens the peace recruitment; (iii) capacity development; keeping mission because the and (iv) gender equality. perspectives include gender inequalities and oppressive practices Such dialogue and exchange of experienced by those who are caught information is imperative particularly in up in conflict. Gender training to tackling difficult issues concerning members of the South African National human rights violations, sexual abuse Defence Force has been and impunity, and lack of access for institutionalized as an ongoing process. women’s contribution to peace building. It also affords the opportunity Challenges though include a limited to understand and recommend ways to deployment of women thus limiting improve peacekeeping within member their roles in peace and stability, the countries. attitudes that arise from being a traditionally male only sector and male 2.2.6.4 Hon. Ms Thandi Modise, colleagues who treat women as Premier: North West Province spoke on “Mainstreaming Gender into UNSCR
31 | P a g e 1325 towards the development of a the National Defence Force; this is National Plan of Action”. She dedicated because women’s roles were not her paper to the women of Palestine recognised as peace makers. and Israel; to those who can no longer speak for themselves, adding that we Ms. Modise also alluded to the know the pain of war in Iraq and Iran. Convention on the Elimination of all She focused on the contents of UNSCR Forms of Discrimination against 1325, acknowledging the many women Women (CEDAW) and raised the from conflict areas who have been part question: “How many young women of the drafting of the resolution. have gone through and understood CEDAW?” She urged women’s She stated that rape in ordinary times organizations to go back to this is itself a war on humanity. Rape during document. conflict times is just as gross a violation of women’s rights, and is regarded by 2.2.7 DEVELOPMENT the International Criminal Court as a PARTNERSHIPS war crime. 2.2.7.1 Ms Aida Girma, Country She added that we are sometimes Representative; UNICEF, spoke about shocked and sometimes petrified by the “Techno-Girls Programme: what we see being done to the bodies Showcasing best practice on economic of women. However, she emphasized empowerment for young girls”. This that it is important to look beyond the public-private partnership between horror and to take action. As such this Government and UNICEF, seeks to therefore becomes the role of women expose disadvantaged girls to career in peace making and peace keeping. opportunities within the science sector.
More and more civilians now become It was piloted in 2005 and rolled out the targets of armed groups and we into other provinces in 2009. The goal need to begin to understand that is to expose girls to science, math, violence now happens everywhere, in technology and engineering fields the home, on the streets, etc. The call where women are drastically for national action is a call to all South underrepresented. The selection African women to take action. These criteria include girls who are from actions have to include women being disadvantaged backgrounds, and who promoted to high ranks in the South must have satisfactory school conduct African National Defence Force; young and outstanding performance. The women being willing to join the police Programme is run over school holidays. and defence force as reserves; as well as constant learning of the suffering of Challenges include funding for women and children in conflict areas in travelling and subsistence for the girls; the region and being willing as a tracking progress; and establishing country of to be part of meaningful steering committees both national and mediation and peace keeping efforts. provincial that can assess Historically women have never been achievements and guide future deployed or promoted to high ranks in planning. Future plans include: (i)
32 | P a g e expansion to all provinces, (ii) equality is integral to the development establishing a Technogirls alumni; (iii) of a society that is fair and just. The STEM-care expo for girls; and (iv) pragmatic approach thus has to ensure profiling and launching the programme. that a successful national gender strategy has to be built on solid 2.2.7.2 Ms Nomcebo Manzini, Regional foundation; this includes the Beijing Director: UN Women (UNIFEM) spoke Platform for Action which emphasizes about “a Women’s Empowerment Fund that women share common concerns and funding mechanisms for women’s that can be addressed only by working economic empowerment”. The UN together and in partnership with men recognizes the need for an end to towards the common goal of gender gender inequalities in ensuring that equality around the world. countries are able to provide prosperity and a quality of life for all citizens. Thus The UNFPA programme thus focuses on the UN has made significant funds a range of issues which bring together available for women’s empowerment. stakeholders that will strengthen gender equality through; (i) ensuring Programmes that can access funding that every pregnancy is a needed one include; (i) sustainable women’s and that all children are HIV negative; economic empowerment initiatives; (ii) (ii) capacity building of traditional industries that have been considered leaders; (iii) supporting youth and ‘men’s work and where women are still development of young people and (iv) underrepresented; (iii) skills supporting women empowerment development, knowledge building and through sexual and reproductive health capacity development that supports rights, and advancing gender equality. the creation of work and job creation; and (iv) initiatives that support health, In South Africa, the UNFPA works with rights and an end to violence against Government through three national women and children. departments viz. the Department of Social Development (on population She stated that the Implementation issues); the Department of Health (on Fund is a minimum fund of 2 million sexual and reproductive health); and US$. It is a mechanism fund to support the DWCPD (on women’s projects between 200 000 - 500 000 empowerment and gender equality). It US$ each. There is also the UN Trust also works with four provinces viz. Free Fund to end violence against women, State, Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal and which does much work with traditional Eastern Cape. It is currently working leaders. with the NYDA (on youth issues) as well as with Sonke Gender Justice (on role 2.2.7.3 Mr. Michael Morgan; Officer in of men and boys in advancing gender Charge; UNFPA, gave a speech on the equality). “Country Programme on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality”. 2.2.7.4 Dr Ruth Kadia; Director: World The programme which is underpinned Bank spoke about the support for by the theme “our time is now” gender programmes in South Africa. recognizes that the pursuit of gender She committed support from the World
33 | P a g e Bank to make funding available for women empowerment and gender equality initiatives in South Africa, and expressed concern that there should be action on resolutions taken at this Conference.
She asked conference delegates to consider in the deliberations some of the following issues:
Women in SA are part of a competitive nation. How do we ensure that women achieve their individual potential and provide the support to a completive nation?
We know that globally 80% of people living in poverty are women. How do women in SA move out of the cycle of poverty. What are the empowerment mechanisms that enable this?
The New Growth Path seeks to create 1 million jobs in SA. How will the women be incorporated in this empowerment process as stakeholders and recipients?
2.3 FACE-TO-FACE: SHARING OF LIVED EXPERIENCES: 3 AUGUST 2011
2.3.1 Ms Frida Oosthuizen: on the agenda of trade unions and are Representative of COSATU spoke on constantly being considered as part of Women in the Labour (trade union) collective bargaining issues. Challenges Movement. She focused on the for women in labour that need to be historical and current perspectives of addressed include: (i) sexual women’s position within the labour harassment within the workplace; (ii) movement. Men used to be the only safety and security, including extended negotiators; thus women’s needs and hours of work; (iii) the vulnerability of rights within the sector were not women and young people at the hands prioritized. Within the broader of labour brokers; (iv) patriarchal transformation agenda currently attitudes within trade unions; (v) the gender equality issues have been put seriousness with which women’s issues
34 | P a g e are being tackled; (vi) protective recommendations and a declaration to clothing; and (vii) child care facilities at assist Government and relevant the workplaces. stakeholders to plan for future interventions regarding empowering 2.3.2 Ms Taryn Gill: Elle Magazine, and advancing young women. spoke on Women in Media and shared with conference delegates ways in Issues for consideration includes (i) which the media can help young utilizing the energy and innovation of women both on a personal level for young women in development those who wish to pursue careers in planning, (ii) lobbying at national and this field, but also the way in which the provincial levels to realize media can be used by women to constitutional provisions, and (iii) being address the broader transformation accountable for ensuring that at a local agenda. level where young people live and work that their needs are being addressed in The media sector has undergone the New Growth Path and other significant changes within the last few strategic interventions of government. decades; the numbers of women journalists, editors and writers is She went on to read the Declaration of constantly on the increase. Thus the the Young Women’s Summit entitled sector is open to new and young talent the “OR Tambo Declaration: Young of women who want to pursue a media women”. career. The content of media can be shaped by the readership and those 2.3.4 Ms Prudence Mabele, Positive who spend money on purchasing Women’s Network, spoke on women ‘space’. Thus women’s voices, stories; living with HIV. She shared with the achievements, thoughts, fears, being conference that she has lived with HIV unable to cope, and crime, among for the past 20 years, having found out others, are the issues that the media at the age of 19 years that she was HIV can portray in a specific way that positive. She went on to share the supports a transformation agenda. good, the bad, the ugly and the way forward for consideration among 2.3.3 Ms Palesa Notsi: representative conference delegates. from NYDA presented on Young Women. She asked conference On a positive note more and more delegates to consider the issues faced people are able to live healthy and by young woman, through consultation positive lives and the numbers of on substantive issues, including health, people who are being tested shows a rural development, crime, employment, significant increase. More than 11 reproductive health, as well as a range million people have tested in 2010 and of other issues that are specific to they know their status. There is young people. however 5.7 million people living with HIV in SA and every day 1000 people The recent consultative Summit for are newly infected. She stated that the Young Women, held on 21-22 July prevalence among young girls is five 2011, had come up with (5) times more than in young boys.
35 | P a g e There is also a worrying aspect of sustain their businesses due to lack of stigmatization that women living with funds, support and mentoring. She HIV are confronted with e.g. name added, however that when working calling such as “3G” and ‘amagama a together women can go far especially if mathatho’. Positive women are forced they form cooperatives. She added that into abortion and even sterilization. one of the challenges rural women face is that when they approach institutions In determining the way forward, such as the Khula Fund, they are told conference delegates were asked to to check the website. She pointed out consider support for: (i) medication e.g. that there is a need to bring regimen 3: (ii) changing negative information on services to the tribal attitudes of health care workers to HIV areas so that women can learn more positive people: (iii) availability of and on where to go for funding support. access to female condoms; (iv) She appealed to the Minister for available vaccines and micobicides; Women, Children and People with and (v) development of sustainable Disabilities to urge Government partnerships. officials to stop discouraging women, but rather to assist rural women in 2.3.5 Ms. Mmakgoro Mannya, Deputy advancing and empowering President of Women in Agriculture and themselves. Rural Development (WARD) spoke on the “Achievements and challenges of 2.3.6 Hon. Kgosigadi MRM Mothapo, rural based women: Feedback from the National House of Traditional Leaders, National Summit for Rural Women’s spoke on the role of traditional Development” which was held on 13- leadership in addressing cultural 14 May 2011 in Tzaneen, Limpopo. practices, patriarchal stereotyping and negative impact on women and girls. The Summit incorporated a program She stated that traditional leaders are that included project site-visits to in harmony with the constitution and sustainable farms managed by young are willing to uphold gender without women; rural women, as well as discrimination and as such are opposed women with disabilities. Rural women’s to the usage of culture to oppress efforts to start and build their women and children. businesses and to be proactive in lowering the food prices have proved to She added that “Ukuthwalwa” or be successful. Women farmers receive “tsubedzu” was traditionally done assistance to buy equipment; banks between two lovers; however current have been prepared to fund woman practices have distorted the original business initiatives to the extent that practice, which has lead to oppression some farmers are now able to supply and abuse of young girls. Women thus big retailers. have an important role to play in giving guidance to the family and traditional Ongoing challenges are experienced leadership regarding changes and regarding growing the numbers of transformation to make this country a successful women farmers because better place for all. many women farmers are unable to
36 | P a g e Women used to give verdicts in their and to avoid patriarchal practices that traditional courts and this is a practice impact the dignity of women and girls. that can support equality measures between women and men. She added 2.3.8 Ms Innocentia Motau, NYDA Board that the role of the late princess, Member, spoke on “Young Women and Modjadji, etc must never be Economic Empowerment”. She stated underestimated. The traditional that the time to embrace the agenda leadership as custodians of culture for helping the young women in traditions and customs encourages business and the development of young women to stick to their roles and young entrepreneurs in the country is traditions. now.
2.3.7 Mr Desmond Lesejane, She added that the role of the NYDA in representing Sonke Gender Justice, developing a positive partnership with spoke on the “Role of Men and Boys in government and the private sector is advancing women’s empowerment and needed in ensuring that young women gender equality: partnerships between develop the skills and attitudes to men’s forums and the institutional become successful business people mechanisms in the country”. He and help in the national job creation expressed the need for these to be agenda. strengthened in order to confront patriarchal and discriminatory Considerations for the way forward practices. He stated that men should includes: (i) the draft gender equality not be viewed as ‘a problem’, but that bill must be widely consulted to include they should be part of the solution. The the issues of all women and men; (ii) struggle against gender based violence the platform for dialogue must lead to needs men as partners who are willing opportunities where young women can to talk out against the abuse of women help one another; (iii) young women and children. must not merely be passive recipients, but must be active in pursuing The role of men in the family structure opportunities; and (iv) the Integrated has to be one of being role models that Youth Development Strategy set to be support the women’s empowerment launched in Kimberly must be and gender equality agenda. The supported by relevant stakeholders. conference delegates need to consider ways in which more and more men can She highlighted some of the work done become part of the transformation by the NYDA in promoting young debate. He added that the way we women’s issues such as: (i) the NYDA raise (socialize) our children, especially developed a programme in 2010 to boy children, determines how they are bring young women together; (ii) NYDA going to relate to women when they given a mandate with 6 functions in grow up. this regard; (iii) 60% of the funding should be awarded to a business that He encouraged people to avoid risky has 5 or more women; and (iv) behaviours, including abuse of alcohol, distribution of sanitary towels: not only collecting and distributing these towels
37 | P a g e but also educating both young women what other young women are going and young men about puberty and through.
2.4 OFFICIAL CLOSING CEREMONY: 3 AUGUST 2011
2.4.1 MEDIA BRIEFING equality bill and received the presentation of the new growth path As part of the closure of the National very well, welcoming the resolution Women’s Conference, a media briefing that from now on 50% of all new loans was held in Plenary. Hon. Minister Lulu issued by the Khula Fund will be Xingwana, Minister for Women, targeted to women. Children and People with Disabilities led the media briefing. She provided a The challenge of the severe under brief summary of the deliberations and representation of women in mining and inputs of the four-day Conference, energy sectors must be addressed by highlighting that the Conference was encouraging girls to get into attended by more than one thousand engineering, science, technology and (1000) women from all sectors in the mathematics fields of study and work. country, including rural women, women She also stated that the Conference with disabilities, young women, among expressed support for the others, and that at least fifteen (15) establishment of a land management members of the Executive including commission. Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Premiers addressed the Conference. She added that women were encouraged to participate in the She stated that the Conference was upcoming Global Conference for States indeed extremely honoured to be Parties (COP 17) on climate change addressed by HE Mr. Kgalema scheduled for 28 November to 9 Motlanthe, Deputy President of the December 2011 in Durban, South Republic of South Africa during the Africa. She also pointed out that the closing ceremony. She added that Conference encouraged women to women expressed their full support for participate in all decision making the development of the gender forums; that it supported the need for 38 | P a g e the 365 days of action against gender The field of masculinity now includes based violence; supported the efforts research in institutions of higher to encourage HIV testing and dedicated learning and should be based on sound focus on reducing and eliminating theories that supports gender equality. maternal mortality; and supported the Men and boys must seek to redefine integration of gender in all government masculinity and what it means to them. programmes. He stated that Government planning Minister Xingwana concluded her must include the Gender Equality Bill briefing by stating that all the inputs and attempts to understand patriarchy, from the women of South Africa and that changing patriarchal attitudes through this National Conference and and behaviours is critical in advancing other consultative summits hosted by gender equality in the country. Our the DWCPD will be used in monitoring society has been gradually moving and screening of delivery against these away from traditional practices that are Conference commitments. harmful to women and girls.
2.4.2 CLOSURE OF THE The Deputy President hailed the recent CONFERENCE appointment of a Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities as In the closing ceremony on the 4th day, an achievement in the struggle against a key note address on “Advancing gender oppression and discrimination. women’s empowerment and gender Other such achievements include equality” was delivered by HE Mr. pieces of legislation such as the BEE Kgalema Motlanthe: Deputy President: Act of 2003, White Paper on SA Land Republic of South Africa. He highlighted Policy; the Domestic Violence Act of that the National Women’s month is 1998 and the Maintenance Act. He the time that celebrates women urged women to get to know of the activists and feminists - a month of existence of these policies and to use democracy for black and white women them. in the country. It is a month to pursue the goal of emancipation of women; He concluded by stating that sexism, elimination of the oppression of just like racism, is an acquired attitude women; eradicate gender violence and of the mind, which can be overcome. advance women’s empowerment. The Conference Declaration was then It is significant that we reflect on the presented to His Excellency, the policy of engaging both men and Deputy President and the Conference women in gender issues, which were was thereafter officially closed. previously seen as women’s issues.
39 | P a g e PART THREE
40 | P a g e ANALYSIS
The Constitution of South Africa, (Act responsibilities, and freedom from 108 of 1996), defines in detail the gender-based violence. It entails that vision of a society that the country the underlying causes of discrimination strives towards – one of “creation of a are systematically identified and united, democratic, non-racial, non- removed in order to give women and sexist and prosperous South Africa”. It men equal opportunities. It takes into is within this context that the account women’s existing subordinate empowerment, advancement and positions within social relations and development of women and the aims at the restructuring of society so achievement of gender equality is as to eradicate male domination. situated. Since 1994 South Africa has made Gender Equality refers to the equal significant progress in putting in place enjoyment of rights and the access to a legislative and policy framework for opportunities and outcomes, including advancing gender equality and resources, by women, men, girls and women’s empowerment. Through the boys. It implies a fair distribution of Constitution and a range of other resources between men and women, statutory provisions South Africa has the redistribution of power and care sought both to protect and promote
41 | P a g e the rights of women and girls. The One of the key principles set out in the statutory and policy architecture for Framework was that of partnerships gender equality in the country is between government and civil society comprehensive and multi-dimensional, with regard to advancing the tenets of with individual laws and policies that gender equality. protect the rights of women and girls. While progress has been made on a While the NGM was initially seen as a number of gender equality fronts there progressive structure, it has has at the same time been a increasingly become ineffective in a consistent and growing concern with a range of areas. The effectiveness of range of matters regarding the the NGM has been compromised by institutionalization of the women’s poor coordination, lack of agenda for societal transformation and accountability, limited achievements of the inalienable realization of women’s gender mainstreaming through the rights. gender focal points, and an uneven engagement with women and women’s In terms of establishing a set of organizations in civil society. The levels institutional mechanisms for advancing and ranks of gender focal points at women’s empowerment and gender national and provincial levels have equality in line with the commitment largely led to challenges in made in the UN 4th World Conference mainstreaming gender effectively for Women, Beijing, 1995, South Africa across all sectors. At the local level, introduced its national Policy there is no focal point system in place. Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in In addition the evolution of the 2000. The Policy Framework provided a machinery through the establishment package of structures to drive the of a dedicated Ministry for Women, national agenda for gender in the Children and People with Disabilities country. Being primarily issue driven means that this existing National Policy rather than sector specific it clearly Framework becomes outdated in some promoted a co-operative approach aspects. Furthermore the lack of among sectors towards achieving enforcement through a policy gender equality both within and across framework means that there is no sectors. The Framework also set out accountability on delivery for women’s parameters for a National Machinery empowerment and gender equality. (the NGM), established a model that There was good support in general for was and still is comprehensive and the proposed gender equality bill which composed of a variety of structures should speak to issues of penalty which are all dedicated towards measures and mechanisms for advancing gender equality. accountability. It was also highlighted that performance agreements of These structures were supposed to be Directors-General and Heads of located in the executive branches, in Departments should include the Parliament, in Provincial governments, delivery on women’s empowerment in independent bodies like courts and and gender equality. various commissions and civil society.
42 | P a g e Deliberations at the Conference clearly employed in low paying and low skilled pointed to many challenges being jobs. experienced in this regard, especially at the provincial levels where there are Challenges are still experienced in no uniform institutional arrangements. keeping girls in schools. However Two provinces highlighted their plight measures such as the provision of of being moved out of the Premiers’ sanitary towels to girls and addressing Offices into the Departments of Social teenage pregnancies are being put in Welfare. place.
At a broad level, the Conference There is tremendous progress with the deliberations indicated that we have representation of women in political translated the achievement of equality positions since 1994. In the Public chiefly through the achievement of sector, there are great strides equity. We have concentrated on the achieved in the number of women in latter especially through our policy and key decision-making positions legislative measures and especially the steady increase of programmatic interventions. women in the Judiciary and at Directors-General and Deputy There are notable gains made in terms Directors-General positions in Senior of improving the access of girls to Management levels in Government. basic education and schooling as well While the progress made on as young women into tertiary representation of women in education especially in colleges and management and decision-making universities. We have achieved parity levels in the Private Sector is rather between girls and boys in primary and slow, the JSE listed companies show secondary education. Innovative some positive trends. There is now programmes such as TechnoGirls is approximately 15% women CEOs in providing exciting opportunities for these companies, where in 2006, there girls to explore the world of work in were only 3%. The 50/50 equity target both the corporate and government especially at management levels and sectors. It is also actively seeking to on boards of companies in the Private provide exposure and opportunities to Sector still remains a challenge. girls in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The conference highlighted that there Yet the Conference highlighted that are great strides made in improving more has to be done in this regard. the economic independence of women While girls and women continue to in the country, yet it also pointed to outnumber boys in schools and higher the several persisting challenges that institutions, they dominate within women experience. This particularly traditionally female oriented poses a challenge for rural women. The sectors/fields. This is also having an conference acknowledged that a large impact on their economic participation proportion of women are still located and the fields in which they are within the informal sector of the employed. Women are continually economy, but also that women have been able to enter and succeed in the
43 | P a g e mainstream economy. Some women We acknowledge that violence against have entered big business and have women and girls has become a shares in mining companies. scourge in the country. However, there Notwithstanding this, there are still too are concerted efforts towards few women in the mining sector addressing this challenge through especially in senior and/or ownership legislation, policy, positive measures, positions. In fact women in mining, increased policing and the provision of agriculture, farming and corporate services to victims. The Conference positions are faced by a “glass ceiling” fully supported the establishment of and they find it difficult to move the proposed National Council against upward. While there are women who Gender Based Violence which will do own and/or manage farms, and are ensure the full and coordinated beginning to enter this form of implementation of the 365 Day production in ever increasing numbers, National Plan of Action on eradicating they still face challenges in accessing violence against women and girls, and resources and financial assistance. gender based violence in general.
It was overtly pointed out that we are The Conference noted that South still to realise full de facto equality or Africa is signatory to the UN Security true equality in practice. While several Council Resolution 1325 on women, gains and many milestones have been peace and security. In this regard, it achieved, many challenges was pointed out that the country is nevertheless remain in the creation of beginning to mainstream gender into a women-friendly environment and an its peace-keeping and peace building engendered society which is capable of role on the continent. There are eradicating the many practices that approximately 40% women in all South constrains women’s advancement and African Peace keeping missions on the empowerment. continent. However, the country still has to develop a national action plan in Although in South Africa women line with UNSCR 1325, 1820, 1888 and continue to bear the burden of 1889 to ensure full mainstreaming of inequality which is compounded by the gender into peace and security issues. feminization of poverty, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, access to health care, Deliberations indicated that dealing and gender based violence, we have with the legacy of discrimination that nonetheless been able to somewhat women face, means that we must look address these issues through special at how we transform society, in interventions and measures. Women particular the transformation of power now have increasing opportunities to relations between women and men, access treatment, care and support in institution and laws. This is instances of HIV and AIDS. There is fundamental to building an inclusive, tremendous progress in preventing progressive and prosperous society. mother-to-child transmissions. In fact We must, as a country, put together recent data indicates that there are our collective efforts – government, less than 5% of MTCT cases. private sector, the public sector, labour movement and civil society – towards
44 | P a g e addressing gender oppression, effectively consultation can actually patriarchy, structural oppression, male happen. domination and in creating a conducive environment which enables The Conference sought to look at the women to take control of their lives. creation of a non-sexist South Africa, Information and proper communication confirming that the triple oppression of of available services was identified as women, and the intersection of gender critical to the advancement of women oppression with race and class, and Government meeting its requires a dedicated struggle within a obligations of delivery to the women of struggle for non-sexism. Whilst this country. progress has been made in this regard, through efforts to improve the quality In that regard, some delegates also of life of women and their raised concerns with the level of empowerment in all programmes of inclusion of women’s voices in the social and economic transformation, deliberations. Young women felt that the Conference discussed the impact not enough space was provided to of patriarchal relations through them, and women with disabilities felt promoting a gendered environment marginalized in the entire process. and perspective in everything that is There must be better representation of done in South Africa, challenging the different types of disabilities in practices, institutions and attitudes such a conference. These are issues that continue to treat women as the DWCPD need to be cognizant of inferior. The Conference also looked at going forward and to ensure that a the barriers created for working class Conference of this nature must ensure women, especially African women. The that there is proper consultation with Conference engaged on the creation of women in the different sectors of our a society wherein issues of gender, society. The size of the conference i.e. class and race are no longer the number of delegates informs how defining features of the society we seek to build.
45 | P a g e PART FOUR
46 | P a g e CONFERENCE OUTCOMES, COMMITMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I.1 CONFERENCE KEY EMERGING ISSUES
Access to Information: There Continued Dialogue: is a constant need for Government stakeholders and information to be shared with development partners should ALL women, through different support platforms, including media forms, technology, local local level initiatives that assist discussions and access to women to discuss the issues that government offices. Knowledge will affect policy and of available programmes of implementations changes. The government, as well as other DWCPD should continue to work development programmes must with other African countries in be more widely shared. advancing the struggle for gender.
47 | P a g e The ‘Green Agenda’: Women’s needs and requirements of entry into and participation in women as workers can be the Green Agenda is a vital supported e.g. availability of day component of sustainable care for children. Clear targets development because of their should be set for making constructed role as caregivers available opportunities and within communities. This financial resources to support includes ensuring that women’s participation in the information of the opportunities economy. that exist are more readily available, including in the area of turning waste into energy. Financing Opportunities: The financial institutions have an important role to play in Expanding Opportunities: supporting women’s increased There are opportunities available activity in the economy; women in a number of sectors, including often are not able to access in the sectors that have been loans because of the stringent previously considered ‘men’s criteria regarding surety and the work’, for example, agriculture, negative perceptions of women technology, mining, as clients. A Women’s Fund constructions and defense. It is needs to be made available for important that young women women entrepreneurs. know of the opportunities and are then supported in making the correct educational decisions Safety and Security: Ongoing that support entry into viable support from all sectors to the sectors. elimination of abuse against women and children needs to be a key part of the development Engendering the New Growth agenda. If women and children Path: The process of expanding are not safe in their homes and the New Growth Path will require communities, then they will not that there is a clear analysis of be able to play a meaningful women’s contribution to the part in the economy and the economy, in both formal and future of the country. It is vital informal sectors, so that the that the safety and justice cluster work
4.2 CONFERENCE COMMITMENTS
48 | P a g e The conference helped deepen empowerment and gender equality engagement on issues relating to national agenda. women empowerment and gender equality and lead to a number of commitments from Government The DWCPD has signed a MOU with departments and development Department of Health towards joint agencies towards the national gender initiatives that focus on reducing mainstreaming plan of action. These maternal mortality and new HIV include: infections.
The DWCPD to hold bilateral meetings with Government The Department of Trade and departments, nationally, Industry will continue to advance provincially and locally, to build opportunities for women through the partnerships and develop joint various programmes, including strategies for taking forward the Bavumile, SAWEN and TWIB, among women’s empowerment and gender others. In partnership with the dit, equality programme of action. In the DWCPD is committed to ensuring this respect the DWCPD will sign that the information on programmes MOUs with the different sectors of and financial assistance that is Government to ensure that available through government is monitoring of the delivery on made available to women, including commitments on women’s rural women, women with disabilities empowerment and gender equality and those who do not have access to takes place. (see Pledges towards the current technology. Women Empowerment and Gender Equality) The Department of Public Works The DWCPD will continue to work remains committed to making the with other African countries in EPWP available to sponsor projects advancing the struggle for gender for women on building and equality; thus the Department will environmental conservation through coordinate a program of action the Indigenous Building Material affecting women across the Project to help women build using continent indigenous material. The Department also campaigns for and will support women to be 50% of the The National Policy on Women’s work force on EPWP. Empowerment and Gender Equality and the Gender Equality Bill, currently in their consultation and The Department for Economic drafting stages, will review the gaps Development is committed to in current implementation, policies implementing a New Growth Path and legislation and ensure that is gender responsive through (i) compliance in terms of the women’s engendering the Framework; (ii)
49 | P a g e ensuring that women are the arise from women being recipients of skills training in various incarcerated e.g. pregnant women areas, (iii) targeting support to and homeless children; thus the women owned small business, (iv) Department is launching of ensure that the Khula Fund and halfway houses for incarcerated other empowerment funds will award mothers with babies and homeless at least 50% of all new loans to children to ensure that they can women to start up businesses or be kept in an environment of grow existing ones. transition.
The Department of Mineral The Department of Rural Resources has committed to Development and Land Reform ensuring that the Mining Charter will remains committed to ensuring advance opportunities for women that women farmers are brought through putting in place mechanisms into the sector and supported that increase in the number of through land acquisition, women registered in the mining equipment and skills for the 5 industry. The Department has also year period that is applicable. A committed to prioritizing young departmental monitoring tool will women in its training and learnership monitor progress in this regard. programmes and will ensure that at least 30% of all new beneficiaries to be young women. The Department of Labour is committed to ensuring that companies and individual The Department of Energy is employers are compliant with the committed to expanding and laws of SA regarding labor sustaining education, training and legislation, including conditions of skills development in the clean work of domestic workers and energy space for women through women mainly who operate in the Clean Energy Education and unskilled labour. Empowerment (C-3E) Women Initiative. The Department of Human The Department of Home Affairs is Settlements is committed to committed to the providing supporting skills development and support mechanisms to mothers training for women through the to ensure that babies are Women’s Build Project, which not registered within thirty (30) days only builds houses but also of birth. communities.
The Department of Correctional The South African National Defence Services is committed to dealing Force is committed to ensuring that with the issues of children that women from South Africa continue to
50 | P a g e play an integral role in peace The United Nations Country Offices building and peace keeping (UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, UN missions, and in promoting the Women/UNIFEM, ILO) are committed implementation of UNSCR 1325, to supporting programmes that 1880 and 1890 on women, peace support gender equality and and security. women’s empowerment in the country, including support for economic empowerment in all areas The Department of International where women are underrepresented Relations and Cooperation is through the Global Women’s Fund, committed to ensuring that a and eradicating violence against National Plan of Action on UNSCR women and children through the UN 1325 is developed and implemented Trust Fund in this regard. in the country.
The World Bank is committed to The Department of Water and making funding available for women Environmental Affairs is committed empowerment programmes in the to ensuring the engendering of all country, specifically within the national preparations for COP 17, as context of the New Growth Path and well as ensuring that women the creating of one million jobs, and participate in the COP 17 processes in facilitating participation of women itself. in climate change processes, such as COP 17.
4.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADVANCING WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY
The First National Women’s Conference Plans (2011-2014) and National Service pledges its support to the Delivery Agreements. As such the advancement of women’s following recommendations are empowerment and gender equality proposed as key to the process with targets, through improved and certain specific core deliverables that if enhanced implementation of the achieved would improve the quality of strategic interventions as set in lives of women, children and people Government’s Medium-Term Strategic with disabilities.
Key National Priority for Key Departments Women and Girls
Economic Empowerment, Job Departments of Trade and Industry, Public Works, creation, Decent work and Economic Development, Energy, Water and sustainable livelihoods for Environmental Affairs, Mineral Resources,
51 | P a g e women Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Labour, Human Settlements and Rural Development and Land Reform
Education for girls and Departments of Basic Education, Higher women Education and Training; Science and Technology, Public Works and Communication
Health for girls and women Departments of Health and Social Development
Rural development, food Departments of Rural Development and Land security and land reform for Reform; Public Works, Agriculture, Forestry and women and girls Fisheries; Communication; Social Development; Energy; Water and Environmental Affairs
Fighting gender based Departments of Justice and Constitutional violence Development; Correctional Services, National Prosecuting Authority, Social Development, Health, Basic Education and South African Police Services
4.3.1 RECOMMENDATION 1 deliver on the twelve outcomes integrating gender and disability. This Following the pronouncement by the will require that government President of the Republic of South departments and entities devise Africa in his State of the Nation Address relevant implementation plans that are in February 2010 that equity responsive to gender and disability measures must be mainstreamed issues. across the work of government, gender responsive indicators become 4.3.2 RECOMMENDATION 2: critical and significant for measuring ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, JOB progress, assessing governance and CREATION AND SUSTAINABLE planning in this regard. In addition, LIVELIHOODS FOR WOMEN mainstreaming the national priorities will be based on ensuring that gender In 2010, Cabinet approved the New and disability responsive actions are Growth Path as the overarching policy integrated into the twelve outcomes for framework to deliver on the outcome of government departments. creating decent employment through inclusive growth. To this end, Government departments and Government will implement government entities, within the programmes that will contribute to the framework of their respective achievement of the jobs target set out mandates, and in collaboration with in the New Growth Path. Government their partners and stakeholders, need pledges to further advance economic to develop strategic interventions to empowerment of women.:
52 | P a g e to create decent work and sustainable 4.3.2.1 The Department of Trade livelihoods, through programmes to and Industry (dti) has developed the build social and economic Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP), as infrastructure. The Department drives the main flagship programme, where the EPWP which is part of a the focus is on employment outcomes government-wide poverty alleviation through aligning industrial incentive framework to provide income and programmes to support labour employment to those who are not absorption. The Department will ensure absorbed into the labour market or that IPAP2 sufficiently incorporates protected by the social security gender targets and indicators, network. The EPWP continues to be particularly in terms of job creation, implemented in the social, training and energy efficiency. In infrastructure, environment & culture addition, the Department must ensure as well as non-state sectors across the the following: three spheres of government. Expanding opportunities for Women Increase by 30% the number of through the EPWP should ensure the women accessing finance through following: the Isivande Women’s Fund and other existing funds by end of 2014; at least 50% of the 4.5 million short- term work opportunities created in Increase the number of women the 2nd phase of the EPWP over the targeted through specific projects next four years are for women; and programmes, including (i) Technical skills to support industrial Increasing the number of young development facilitated through women choosing to enter higher Tooling and Foundry Initiatives, (ii) education, or employment in the Support Programme for Industrial built environment or its associated Innovation, and (iii) Technology and professions; Human Resources for Industry; Job creation through training and Increase support to women-owned employing community-based business enterprises; women both in the construction and Prioritize women in investment decent work opportunities within growth and employment creation; the upstream and secondary and enterprises generated by the social infrastructure; Promote women’s involvement in broad-based economic participation The National Construction Week will through targeted interventions to pay attention towards ensuring that achieve more inclusive growth. it offers women, and emerging enterprises the opportunity to 4.3.2.2 The Department for Public experience a wide range of exciting Works contributes to speeding up opportunities available in today’s growth and transforming the economy built environment and its construction sector 53 | P a g e Together with other lead government departments, promote The constructor incubator women’s participation in the climate programme is created to foster an change processes enabling environment within which selected existing contracting enterprises can develop into Incorporation of young women’s sustainable contracting enterprises. concerns in the Department’s Youth Preference will be applied in the Development Strategy accessing of work so that enterprises owned and controlled by blacks as well as by women. Exploring the best practice example of the Barefoot College, India on 4.3.2.3 Expanding Opportunities in the training elderly rural women on solar Energy Sector. The Department of engineering for application in rural Energy to advance women’s areas in the country empowerment and economic participation of women by undertaking the following actions: 4.3.3 RECOMMENDATION 3: RURAL WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT Mainstreaming of gender into the Department’s key strategies and programmes – including the 4.3.3.1 Increased Job Creation for Integrated Resource Plan 2010, Rural Women. Government must operationalization of the South ensure that the New Growth Path African National Energy provides strategies for job creation with Development Institute (SANEDI), a particular bias on women in rural etc. areas. Of the five hundred-thousand (500 000) jobs that will be created in Expanding and sustaining the rural sector between 2011 and education-training and skills 2020, Government pledges at least development in the clean energy 50% of the jobs to be allocated to rural space for women through the Clean women. These targets will also be Energy Education and applicable on an annual basis. Empowerment (C-3E) Women Initiative; 4.3.3.2 Increased access and ownership of land by rural women. Land reform remains one of Ensure 50% of beneficiaries of the government’s key priorities. One of the “Working for Energy” Programme three principles underpinning are women; Government’s new approach towards sustainable land reform is democratic and equitable land allocation and use across gender, race and class. Among others, the following are recommended:
54 | P a g e be engendered to meet the specific at least 50% ownership by women needs of women and to achieve targets of the 411 recapitalized farms; for women’s empowerment and gender equality. 30% women ownership of the 27 irrigation schemes that will be 4.3.4 RECOMMENDATION 4: revitalized in the current MTEF MINERAL RESOURCES AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT 50% of state owned farms to be awarded to women farmers The vision is to enable a “globally competitive, sustainable and Special programmes to foster meaningfully transformed mining and resourcing of both finances and minerals sector to ensure that all South equipment for women farmers Africans derive sustainable benefit from the country’s mineral wealth”. 4.3.3.3 Home-based Care and ECD The New Growth Path (NGP) identifies Programmes. Government will mining as one of key economic drivers expand its job creation efforts from the in creating real jobs within different current programmes of Home and value chains across South Africa’s Community Based Care and ECD which industrial landscape. In relation to have been successful in creating work mining, the plan urges “…accelerating opportunities and increasing exploitation of mineral reserves by employment chances of practitioners ensuring an effective review of the both in government and in the NGOs. minerals rights regime, lowering the Government will ensure that at least cost of critical inputs including logistics 50% of the targeted (750 000) new and skills in order to stimulate private jobs created by end of 2014 through investment in the mining sector, and the Social Sector EPWP are for women. setting up a state-owned mining company that would co-exist with a 4.3.3.4 Engendering National Policy strong private mining sector and that Frameworks. During the 2011/12 promotes beneficiation, as well as financial year Government will focus on greater utilization of the mineral the development of the final drafts of resource base of the country for the National Community Development developmental purposes, including Policy Framework; the Strategic potentially through a sovereign wealth Framework for Community fund.” Development in DSD; the advocacy and mobilization strategy for effective The Conference promotes the community participation in advancement of women’s development processes as well as the empowerment and economic implementation of capacity building participation of women by Government programmes for CDPs and CBOs and undertaking the following actions: the facilitation of the profiling of poor communities and households for 4.3.4.1 Skills Building and Process appropriate referral and relevant Improvement. The Department of interventions. All these policies should Mineral Resources and the Mining 55 | P a g e Qualification Authority have put sector growth and development and strategies in place to address the skills identifies key challenges and shortage in the mining industry. The interventions. This approach will have a Department reviews and implements greater impact on rural community work processes to optimize the benefit development, where the Department of capacity development and further for Mineral Resources must pre-identify entrench continuous improvement. the potential for mineralization. A Education and training programmes strategy for the sustainable growth and with universities have been meaningful transformation of the South consolidated to improve workplace- African mining industry will be released integrated learning for (inter alia) at the end of 2011. As a significant health and safety inspectors. The contributor to GDP, mining offers Department must prioritize young opportunities for the creation of decent women in its training and learnership jobs. The strategy is aligned with the programmes and should ensure that at broader national transformation least 30% of all new beneficiaries will objectives and emphasizes the be young women. mutually reinforcing nature of growth and transformation to create 4.3.4.2 Supporting Women’s sustainable growth in the industry. The Empowerment through Mineral Department must develop targets and Regulation. The Department of indicators to monitor inclusion and Mineral Resources must continue to participation of women and young comply with the revised turnaround women in small scale mining to times for the adjudication of rights and achieve targets for rural community permits. This is critically important for development. improving sector competitiveness and to ensure transparency and 4.3.4.4 The Department of Mineral accountability. Some of the strategies Resources must also: to ensure that the regulatory framework is implemented effectively Collaborate to initiate and include the refinement of the implement mainstreaming projects Department’s administrative in order to increase the number of processes, including the organizational women partaking in these; structure. The Department must monitor the empowerment of Increase the number of women who historically disadvantaged South participate in Broad Based Black Africans, especially women closely, in Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) terms of the related Act. and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) projects to meet 4.3.4.3 Promotion of Women the required targets; Participation and Engendering of the Small Scale Mining Strategy. A new strategic approach to small scale Set up a task team to address mining is outlined in the new small issues relating to the Ingxoxo scale mining strategy. The strategy Women in Mining. provides a framework for sustainable
56 | P a g e 4.4 OUTCOME DOCUMENT OF THE CONFERENCE
4.4.1 PREAMBLE played the state as tribunes of the people and as platforms to monitor 1. This Outcome Document defines in and advance the programmes of detail the vision of the society that change has tremendous import for all women strive towards, that is, their lives, especially within the “the creation of a united, context of a developmental state. democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa”. It is 3. Women remain the critical pillar within this context that the women within the state to conscientize, raise have articulated their hopes and awareness, sustain and carry desires for women’s empowerment forward women’s empowerment and and gender equality in the country. gender equality agenda. In this regard, this National Conference 2. Women’s commitment to the provides the underpinnings on which consistent improvement of the role
57 | P a g e the continued struggles for women’s 7. The Outcome Document premises emancipation rest. advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment by 4. The Outcome Document recognizes addressing patriarchal relations. This and acknowledges the different is through the creation of a experiences of all women arising out gendered environment and adopting of race, class, ethnicity, religion and a gender perspective in all aspects geographical location and, at the of life. same time, endeavours to unite all South African women. It also 8. The tactics that ought to be emphasizes that there ought to be a employed is vested in improving the biasness towards working class and quality of life of women through rural poor women, given the nature concerted programmatic measures and intensity of the legacy of in the areas of health, education, oppression of women in general, and social security, basic services, black women in particular. It seeks employment, economic to promote that the women’s empowerment and increasing collective continues to be the opportunities in the public and vanguard of women beneficiation political sphere. The Outcome through the promotion and Document is also premised on monitoring of policies and the law utilizing programmatic measures reform and formulation processes. and interventions including special temporary measures such as gender 5. Women are at the forefront of the quotas and affirmative action struggle for liberation and the measures. emancipation of women from all forms of exploitation. We recognise 9. The Women’s Charter of 1954 clearly the historic and heroic role and stipulated that women did not form a contributions made by women who society separate from men. There is laid a concrete foundation for the only one society, and it is made up advancement of our liberation of both men and women. The struggles and women’s founding members of the Federation emancipation. of South African Women (FEDSAW) embraced their male comrades by 6. The political maturity, revolutionary acknowledging that there is only one commitment, positive spirit and society, and it is made of both men attitudes of the women who and women. In this regard, it is preceded us as leaders of the therefore incumbent upon us to struggle for women’s emancipation continue working as one, women and and gender equality gives us a men both joining forces to eradicate foundation on which to base our the patriarchal practices and continued struggle for women’s stereotypic attitudes perpetuated. advancement, emancipation and The engagement of men and boys is development. invaluable and incalculable in advancing women’s rights and
58 | P a g e empowerment and in achieving (1) “ Everyone is equal before the gender equality. law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the 10 The revolutionary, historic and law.” heroic contributions that women (2) “ Equality include the full and made in the struggle for their equal enjoyment of all rights and franchise, emancipation and human freedoms. To promote the rights laid a concrete foundation for achievement of equality, sustaining this fight into the future. legislative and other measures Their recommendations provide designed to protect or advance sound principles underpinning the people, or categories of people, struggles being waged today disadvantaged by unfair especially in respect of providing discrimination may be taken.” political leadership on the gender (3) “ The state may not unfairly agenda; ensuring that the struggles discriminate against anyone on for women’s emancipation remains one or more grounds, including mass-based, and also maintaining race, gender, sex, pregnancy, the moral high-ground of our leaders marital status, ethnic or social and heroines such as Lillian Ngoyi, origin, colour, sexual orientation, Helen Joseph, Dorothy Nyembe, age, disability, religion, Rahima Moosa, Sophie De Bryn, conscience, belief, culture, Bertha Gxowa, Ray Alexander and language and birth.” others. These principles continue to (4) “ No person may unfairly remain a foundation for women’s discriminate directly or indirectly struggles in the country. against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection 4.4.2 THE BASIS FOR (3). National legislation must be ENGENDERING GOVERNMENT’S enacted to prevent of prohibit POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES unfair discrimination.” (5) Discrimination in one or more 11The Constitution of the Republic of grounds listed in subsection (3) South Africa (1996) gives clear is unfair unless it is established guidance regarding the State’s that the discrimination is unfair.” position on rights, equality, empowerment, and human dignity of 12 The women’s struggles for women, children and people with emancipation resulted in a disabilities. It also states that constitutional order requiring legislative and other measures may effective equality – which means, be taken in order to achieve these equal access, equal opportunities and to protect or advance all people and equal treatment of women. In who were historically disadvantaged order to effectively implement by discriminatory practices. policy decisions that impact on women’s empowerment and gender Article 9 declares that equality, it is critical to have a full understanding of the theoretical underpinnings on which these are 59 | P a g e premised. As such, the 14 Gender mainstreaming as a understandings of the concept of strategy for achieving gender gender have become narrow and equality was identified by depoliticized - focusing mainly on governments at the Fourth World the differences between men and Conference on Women, held in women. It does not acknowledge, as Beijing in 1995. Mainstreaming a central, men’s power over women gender perspective is the process of and the resulting oppression. assessing the implications for Gender refers to the social roles, women and men, of any planned duties and responsibilities allocated action, including legislation, policies and ascribed to women and men in and programmes, in any area and particular societies and at particular at all levels. It is a strategy for times. Such roles, duties and making the concerns and responsibilities and the differences experiences of women as well as of between them, are conditioned by a men an integral part of the design, variety of political, economic, implementation, monitoring and ideological, cultural and social evaluation of all policies and factors characterized in most programmes in all political, societies by unequal power economic and societal spheres, so relations. The concept of “gender” that women and men benefit is distinguished from “sex” which is equally, and inequality is not biologically determined. perpetuated. The ultimate goal of gender mainstreaming is to achieve 13 Gender Equality refers to the equal gender equality. enjoyment of rights and the access 15 At a broad level, we have to opportunities and outcomes, translated the achievement of including resources, by women, equality chiefly through the men, girls and boys. Gender achievement of equity. Given our equality implies a fair distribution of emphasis on the latter especially resources between men and through our policy and legislatives women, the redistribution of power measures and programmatic and care responsibilities, and interventions, much of the gains freedom from gender-based that have been made in terms of violence. It entails that the advancing women and achieving underlying causes of discrimination gender equality have failed to are systematically identified and make an impact on addressing and removed in order to give women eradicating the persistent practice and men equal opportunities. It of patriarchy and institutionalized takes into account women’s existing sexism. subordinate positions within social relations and aims at the 16 Patriarchy is an ideological restructuring of society so as to construct that has been around eradicate male domination. Equality since prehistoric times. It is a is understood to include both formal whole system encompassing and substantive equality. ideologies, beliefs, values and practices underpinning the
60 | P a g e organisation and structure of gender equality as a norm – in society – resulting in unequal other words we need to move for a power relations between women total paradigm shift in our thinking, and men. The subjugation and practices and perspectives. The subordination of women in all struggle against patriarchy is spheres of life beginning with the therefore a “struggle within the family is impacted upon by struggle”. patriarchal attitudes. It is a historical and widespread 19 It must be addressed sharply, in phenomenon, continuously line with the key attributes of a reinforced by social practices, developmental state: institutions, including education, By changing the environment so work, religion, culture, the arts and that women are in a position to the media and has come to be as access and exercise their rights, “natural, God-given or part of the Addressing the income gap tradition and culture”. between men and women, rich and poor – where women are the 17 While patriarchy is a distinct poorest of the poor, system, it does not exist on its Addressing the increasing rate of own. It thrives on the basic maternal and infant deaths, economic-political system under Addressing the growing which it exists, becoming a way of feminization of poverty life by all. The state or government Addressing the issue of the skewed alone, or one group or organization nature of the private sector and for that matter, therefore cannot corporate world towards male eradicate patriarchal practices on domination especially at decision- its own. It requires all the forces of making levels, and society, particularly because it Accelerating the implementation of coexists with and survives even our policies and legislation in under the most progressive general. political systems. This is because these practices are institutionalized 20 In order to do all of these and entrenched within religious, effectively and speedily, we have cultural, and family traditions and to address the underlying causes reinforced by legal and other forms as to why they fail to occur – which of institutionalization of such is really the persistence of practices. patriarchal thinking or the continuation of institutionalized 18 The ideology of patriarchy has sexism. surpassed the ideological construct of racism – we need to address the 21 Gender inequality and other issues as two different constructs. patriarchy-related social ills are an We need to decolonize our integral part of what should be the thinking, deconstruct the idea of transformation agenda for patriarchy and begin to reconstruct women’s empowerment. The a new way of thinking towards
61 | P a g e Outcome Document calls for a the President in 2008 must be fast serious engagement and tracked. South Africa is bound by identification of ways to actually international, regional and sub- address patriarchy within its regional laws ratified and must realms and the realms of society as take all necessary steps to protect a whole, as well as look at the women from discrimination and concept of “decolonization of the abuse in all spheres. Human Mind, including the socialization that women are 23 In terms of institutional subjected to. mechanisms, the National Gender Machinery (NGM), as outlined in 4.4.3 CURRENT STATUS OF WOMEN the 2000 South African National IN SOUTH AFRICA Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality 22 The statutory and policy , is an “an integrated package” of architecture for gender equality in structures located at various levels the country is comprehensive and of state, civil society and within the multi-dimensional, with individual statutory bodies, in particular the laws and policy overlapping to Commission for Gender Equality. provide seamless protection of the The Established Ministry for rights of women and girls. Women, Children and People with Progressive legislation includes the Disabilities is a central co- Promotion of Equality and ordinating, oversight and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination monitoring point for the Act, the Employment Equity Act, advancement and protection of the the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual rights of women, children and Offences Act and Civil Union Act, people with disabilities. among others. South Africa has also ratified a number of 24 Furthermore, the Public Service international and regional adopted a Gender Management instruments that promote gender System – a network of structures, equality, including the 1979 mechanisms and processes – that Convention on the Elimination of enables the mainstreaming of All Forms of Discrimination against gender across government. The Women (ratified 1995), the 1993 Eight Principle Plan for Heads of Declaration on the Elimination of Departments provides a mandate Violence Against Women (signed to see that gender equality 1996), the 1995 Beijing Declaration becomes a goal and a standard and Platform for Action and the practice in all aspects of Optional Protocol to CEDAW, government departments. ratified in 2005, and the AU Heads of States Solemn Declaration of 25 The status of women in South Gender Equality in Africa (adopted Africa and the extent to which in 2004) . The ratification of the gender equality gaps are reduced SADC Protocol on Gender and in the country can be seen in Development which was signed by national indicators that speak to
62 | P a g e capabilities (access to education, health), opportunities (access to 27 However, as a country, we still economic resources) and to need to realize de facto or true leadership positions and security equality in practice. While several (levels of violence against women). gains and many milestones have been achieved in this process, 26 Government’s major many challenges nevertheless achievements, among others, remain in the creation of a women- include: friendly environment and an in 2008 gender parity in schooling engendered society which is was achieved, capable of eradicating the many progress in addressing the primary practices that constrains women’s health care needs of women and advancement and empowerment. girls, Dealing with the legacy of combating of violent crimes discrimination and transformation against women and children of society, particularly the identified as a priority, transformation of power relations specialised courts to deal with between women, men, institutions sexual offences instituted with staff and laws, is fundamental to working at these courts building an inclusive, progressive empowered with specialised skills, and prosperous society. Collective progressive amendments to the efforts must be directed at Sexual Offences Act. addressing gender oppression, Addressing issue of increased patriarchy, sexism, structural feminized poverty through a oppression and creating a comprehensive anti-poverty conducive environment which strategy, enables women to take control of their lives. significant progress in achieving gender parity at senior 28 Within and between race management level within the groupings, women continue to bear public service, the burden of inequality. South great strides in the representation Africa’s rankings on the Gender- of women at the political and Related Development Index (GDI) decision-making levels, placing and the Gender Empowerment South Africa currently 6th on the Measure (GEM) are quite divergent, Global Report Index. with a low GDI score but a a number of civil society, non- relatively high GEM. This reflects governmental and research the dichotomous nature of South organisations working in the field Africa’s transformation process: of gender equality with significant significant progress has been made successes in advocating for and in empowering women in the shaping gender legislation; political, public and educational influencing policies and providing spheres, but the marginalization of evidence of successful poor women severely compromises methodologies. progress.
63 | P a g e 2008 to 4.5% in 2010, while 29 There is progress in achieving Chairpersons increased from 3.9% gender parity at senior in 2008 to 6% in 2010. management level within the Directorships held by women public service (currently at 36% increased from 14.3% in 2008 to women in SMS positions). This is 16.6% in 2010. There are 19.3% made up as follows: 40 (27.77%) women executive managers in Directors-General out of a total of 2010, having decreased from 144; 169 (34.7%) Deputy 25.3% in 2008. The envisaged Directors-General out of a total of Gender Equality Bill must be 486; 596 (34%) Chief Directors out fast tracked to speed up 50/50 of total of 1750 and 2085 (36.7%) parity in the private sector and Directors out of 5676 in total). the corporate world. Majority of women are located at the entry level of the SMS. The 31 Despite the successes made in 50/50 parity target must be representation of women at the actively pursued at all levels of political and decision-making Government and that levels, there are serious questions compliance and accountability around the meaningful must be enforced. participation and inclusion of women in the political sphere and 30 The private sector has, in spite of private sector. employment equity requirements, made less progress in achieving 32 The private sector responses to gender parity within the ranks of gender inequality in South Africa its senior management. According are embedded in the socio-political to the South African Women in context of the country through the Leadership Census 2010 conducted Broad Based Black BEE legislation by the Business Women’s and codes, the Employment Equity Association, in 2004, 59.9% of the legislation, industry Charters (such country’s corporations had no as in mining or finance), and female Board representation and, national umbrella bodies amongst where women were included, they others. There is evidence of a made up only 7.1% of the board narrowing of gender imbalances; members. This differs significantly an increasing response to gender in 2010 where 21.5% of the equality obligations and a range of country’s company boards have no mechanisms are in place female representation and 16.4% (bursaries, scholarships, of directors are women. However internships) to facilitate entry of only 10.4% of CEOs and Board women into industries. However Chairs are female and women much more must be done to executive managers make up especially empower women 19.3%. Trends over a three-year economically and ensure that the period 2008 to 2010 indicate that majority of women do not remain women CEOs and Managing confined to the informal sector of directors increased from 3.9% in the economy.
64 | P a g e especially for children with 33 Although Government remains disabilities. committed to gender mainstreaming, a careful analysis 1. There is overall access to of the priorities clearly points to basic education in the country. some implementation challenges. Furthermore, we have attained gender parity especially at the 34 The Outcome Document offers us secondary level. In fact there an opportunity to report on are more girls enrolled for the progress, identify outstanding senior certificate examinations challenges and to chart the way than boys, however pass rates forward. This document is for girls remains lower than premised on engendering that of boys. The SA draft MDG Government’s five priorities country report 2010 indicates especially at a service delivery that according to the General level. These are: creation of decent household survey, school work and sustainable livelihoods; attendance for those aged 7-13 education; health; rural has increased from an already development, food security and high level of 96, 5 %( boys land reform; and the fight against 96.4% and girls 97.0%) in 2002 crime and corruption. to 98.6 %( boys 98.4% and girls 98.8%) in 2009.
4.4.4. EDUCATION 36 Performance in National Senior Certificate examinations show that 35 The Government is committed to more females than males entered providing equal access to quality the exams. The pass rate for girls is education for all South Africans, 57% while it is 60% for boys. The with a view to eliminating gender lower pass rate for girls even disparities in education at all levels. though they are in larger numbers The National Education Policy Act indicates that there may be areas of provides for redressing the gender implications – such as early inequalities of the past in motherhood, gendered division of educational provision, including the labour, household chores, child promotion of gender equality. This headed households, etc. makes it possible for both boy- and girl-children to access basic 37 At the tertiary level, there is education, as well as participate in indication that there are more gateway subjects such as females than males enrolled in mathematics and science. In tertiary institutions at 56.4%. addition, there are a variety of However, women are in lower social protection policies and numbers in technical universities, programmes dedicated at and therefore in technological and promoting and protecting access to scientific fields of study. Women education for vulnerable children, still dominate in areas which are stereotypical “feminine” areas.
65 | P a g e particular responsibility to protect 38 Statistics also indicate that more young people from social problems. women are enrolled at the higher Education must play a dual role in level of study such as in masters relation to discrimination and etc. However other statistics in the gendered or sex based harassment employment fields show that more and violence. Firstly, it must men are employed than females. prevent such activities from There is therefore no correlation occurring in education institutions. between women’s success in Secondly, it must mobilize the numbers and studies at higher medium of education to develop in levels with that of employment in students the knowledge, skills and the economic sector. life orientation to ensure that they repudiate discrimination and 39 While this may be case, more gendered violence and become women are increasingly accessing advocates against it. tertiary education, as well as increasingly entering previously 41 Teenage pregnancy is amongst the male domains with respect to major concerns facing young people career choices. However, the in South Africa today. There are science, technology and serious intervention measures to engineering fields are still deal with the challenge as it is one predominantly male in nature. 50% that can effectively undermine of all learnerships must be efforts to keep the girl child in earmarked for young women to school for as long as it is required– ensure that empowerment is thereby defeating efforts to provided especially for previously contribute towards ensuring that all male dominated areas. learners realize their full potential. The South African Constitution 40 There are several initiatives criminalizes discrimination on the addressing social ills that affect basis of pregnancy; therefore boy- and girl-children with regards pregnant learners cannot be denied to their access to schooling. These their constitutional right to include learner pregnancy and education because of pregnancy. sexual abuse in schools. Sexual abuse and educator to learner 42 It is imperative to reflect on the sexual relationships are outlawed in challenges that persist, particularly the schooling system, and in terms of women’s adult basic punishable by dismissal of the education and literacy. There are particular educator if found guilty. innumerable case studies and However, cases of sexual exemplars in countries that show a harassment and sexual violence strong correlation between continue to be reported in South women’s education and the African public schools. Evidence improvement in the quality of life of shows that girls experience sexual the family, including education of harassment and violence more than their children. Literacy and boys. However, schools have a education empowerment of rural
66 | P a g e women is essential if the quality of improving health systems their lives is to improve, and they effectiveness, with special emphasis are able to access justice and on deliverables aimed at improving economic empowerment the health status of women and opportunities. children. These focus areas are consistent with the health related 4.4.5 HEALTH Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 43 Since the dawn of democracy in 1994 a number of initiatives have 2. According to the SA draft MDG been implemented to improve country report 2010, a total of 625 access to health services by of maternal mortality cases were women. One of the first initiatives recorded during 2007 which is far was to remove user fees for above the MDG target of 38 by the children under six and pregnant and year 2015. It is unlikely that this lactating women. Later, user fees target can be achieved. Under five for people with disabilities were also mortality, which is linked to removed. Primary health care was maternal health also recorded 104 also made free to all. The health the same year and unlikely to sector remains committed to the achieve the MDG target of 20 in White Paper for the Transformation 2012. of the Health System’s (1997) vision, which accentuated the need 45 Human Sexuality, gender inequality to: decentralise management of and vulnerability are interlinked health services; establish the issues which must be addressed. District Health System to facilitate The high prevalence of HIV amongst implementation of Primary Health women suggests the extent to Care (PHC); increase access to which women in South Africa are services for citizens; ensure the vulnerable to the epidemic. Besides availability of good quality essential evidence from the annual antenatal drugs in health facilities; strengthen surveys, it is also the case that disease prevention and health more young women than men are promotion in areas such as HIV and infected. Women are vulnerable AIDS, and maternal, child and because of their position in society, women’s health; implement the including the imbalance in the Integrated Nutrition Programme to power relations between men and focus more on sustainable food women (reflected in their ability to security for the needy; and negotiate condom use), and rationalize health financing through multiple and concurrent sexual budget reprioritization. partners.
44 Delivery on the four key areas must 46 Major challenges also remain with be accelerated viz., increasing life respect to health of women in expectancy; combating HIV and marginalized communities such as AIDS; decreasing the burden of those in rural areas, women on diseases from Tuberculosis (TB) and farms, foreigners in the country as
67 | P a g e well as commercial sex workers. contributing to hunger and food Violence against women and insecurity in the country is gender children is also a major challenge inequality in families, communities and contributes to the HIV and society as a whole. Due to epidemic. While guidelines and gender power imbalances, women protocols are available, access to are often denied access to available the appropriate services is still food; food production activities (the limited and social structures to labour market); and production address the prevention of these ills spaces and tools such as land and are still weak. Women with HIV are implements. This disadvantaged also particularly vulnerable to position in any given society is emotional, material and physical based on the relations of, among abuse and neglect. others, gender-based access to social resources and opportunities, 47 Women are the major health care defining as well women’s unequal providers; when women are access to these resources and infected, there is very little social opportunities. infrastructure integrity to care for them. This includes when women 49 Many women live in abject poverty, are affected and afflicted by other i.e. living under a dollar a day. conditions as well, such as cancer, Consequently, women’s financial chronic diseases and old age. dependency increases their Health education and promotion vulnerability to marginalization and also need to be strengthened, all forms of abuse. especially among the adolescents and youth. School health services 50 It is commonly known that women need strengthening also, with generally own less land and the emphasis on the promotion of land they have is often of lower personal and sexual health and the quality than the land owned by prevention of intentional and men. Most women in the country unintentional injuries, including are situated in rural areas where violence, infections, pregnancy and poverty and underdevelopment are substance abuse. This includes high rife. Rural women’s lack of access vaccination coverage through the to resources and basic services is Expanded Programme on compounded by their unequal rights Immunization. in family structures, as well as unequal access to family resources, 4.4.6 WOMEN AND FOOD SECURITY such as land and livestock. This AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT explains further why African rural women are not only poorer in 48 Women have a crucial role to play society as a whole but also in their in the fight against hunger. As own families. It also defines why mothers, farmers, and their level and kind of poverty is entrepreneurs, they hold the key to experienced differently and more building a future free of malnutrition intensely than that of men. and hunger. A key factor
68 | P a g e 51 Despite the critical role women play in food production and 54 Research must be undertaken on management of natural resources, best practices and case studies on they have ownership of a very programmes for alleviating hunger minute percentage of agricultural e.g. Brazil’s Zero Hunger land. Lack of access to and control Programme in the Context of Social over land has intensified their Policy. difficulties, their access to credit, technical assistance and 55 Foreign policies of South Africa participation, all of which are especially to address issues of essential for development. Little foreign countries using up land access to credit limits their ability to space in the country or in Africa for purchase seeds, fertilizers and other their biofuel use by planting trees inputs needed to adopt new farming and harvesting these at the techniques. expense of land for food production must be carefully scrutinised. 52 The conspicuous absence of particular reference to interventions 56 Climate change will increase the targeting gender inequality or cost of MDGs attainment – in food improving the status of women as a production, health, water, energy, strategy for addressing food infrastructure and other areas – and insecurity is one of the major gaps will have disproportionate effects on that exist. Without such a focus, the women and the poor. It therefore root causes of hunger and food cannot be treated as a standalone insecurity may not be fully issue but must be mainstreamed understood and interventions may across government’s five priority miss the mark in terms of their areas. As we approach COP 17 we orientation and goals. need to mobilize to ensure that women’s voices permeate all 53 Given the key role of women in the preparations towards this global agricultural sector, improving their process. situation means progress for the sector and for the economy as a 57 Impacts of climate change are not whole. Measures to improve their gender neutral. Women bear a situation include: major responsibility for household Increasing their access to farming production and supply, energy, and land, fertilizers, seeds and food security, which when combined ploughing implements , with inhibitions rooted in their Increasing their access to credit, traditional roles, unequal access to ensuring that they receive resources and limited mobility, education; results in them being increasing their participation in disproportionately affected. decision-making; and Strengthening their role within the 58 Africa’s land and natural wealth is family. immense and increasing in value, and which increases its vulnerability
69 | P a g e to exploitation by foreign investors. population, and 57 % of women are Given the leadership role on the found in the informal sector. continent, South Africa must ensure that women and children are safe 62 Despite significant employment guarded from further exploitation equity gains in South Africa as a and are direct beneficiaries of the result of labour legislation and other revenue from land and natural policies that have responded to wealth. Therefore this revenue must historical race and gender be utilized to promote sustainable inequalities, the patterns of and equitable development for all. inequality continue to be reflected in labour force data. Continuing 59 Government must oversee that, in disparities in employment highlights compliance with the Copenhagen the broad trends that reflect a agreements on climate change, gendered nature of employment, women and children are not further skewed in the favour of men. exploited, discriminated and disadvantaged. Women must 63 A high percentage of women make up 50% of the green jobs undertake low-skilled, low wage and the green economy in employment. Women primarily South Africa. serve as domestic labour and home- based care-givers. Women remain 60 Sport as a sector can be utilized to consistently under-represented in facilitate women’s way out of high-skills, high-wage employment. poverty and hunger through the involvement of women and young 64 Women remain significantly under- girls in sporting activities. Women represented in senior management and girls should also benefit and leadership positions. As a result from international sporting many women continue to operate in events held in South Africa. the informal trade sector, including SAFA and other sporting bodies in informal cross border trade. should also put in place specific programmes to train and 65 The transformation within and of encourage women and young the economy must therefore be in girls into professional sports. line with the creation of decent 4.4.7 WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY work and sustainable livelihoods as well as rural development. This 61 We acknowledge that the role of must be within the context of a women in the economy has to sustainable, equitable and inclusive change. The demand for gender economic growth path. equality has deepened democracy and transformed our society. Our 66 The international context adds to constitution proclaims equality but the challenge. The global economic social and legal practices still meltdown in 2008-9 had mutter otherwise. South African tremendous negative impact on the women make up 52% of the entire lives of women. While financial and economic crises have gender-
70 | P a g e specific impacts and place a Women-owned businesses, disproportionate burden on women, although more numerous than in particular poor women, they also male-owned businesses, remain present opportunities to change weaker because they are usually strategies and actions. Responses smaller, less formal and operate in to the financial and economic more vulnerable sectors, especially crises, including stimulus packages, in trade, catering and need to take into account the needs accommodation. Women therefore and priorities of women and girls to require a multifaceted approach to ensure that the gains made in address disparities though some of promotion of gender equality and the following measures: empowerment of women are not Micro-financing arrangements reversed. The New Growth Path where the major financial for economic development must institutions are provided with be engendered to ensure that incentives to provide loans to women are 50% beneficiaries of women entrepreneurs the Job Fund. Skills development and training directed at potential women 67 Women’s increased participation in entrepreneurs in both the urban the labour market has not been and rural areas especially in accompanied by an increase in drawing up business plans and men’s participation in unpaid work. proposals and in skills in managing Women have to spend too many a business particularly in hours on domestic work, preventing accounting and budgeting. them from participating in societal Providing mentorship and or development activities. Macro- learnership opportunities for women level policies continue to neglect seeking to become entrepreneurs the existing inequalities in the Encouraging young women / young gender distribution of paid and female learners to take business unpaid work, to the detriment of courses in high school and tertiary women. Primary areas of policy education intervention have focused on reducing the burden of unpaid work, 69 The Industrial Policy and Action Plan including through the reconciliation for 2010/11 – 2012/13, which builds of work and family responsibilities, on the National Industrial Policy the provision of services and Framework, represents a significant investment in public infrastructure. step forward in scaling up efforts to The value and cost of unpaid work promote long-term industrialization should be recognized and valued by and industrial diversification. The all stakeholders, including objective is to go beyond traditional Government and the private sector. commodities and non-tradable services. The Action Plan places 68 While women form the majority of emphasis on more labour absorbing small business owners they are production and services sectors, significantly outnumbered by men and increased participation of in the formal sector of the economy.
71 | P a g e historically disadvantaged people in indicates that there are more the economy. female co-operative members than male members. Co-operatives that 70 The negative unintended consist of only women members consequences of the growth path in account for 264 co-operatives, the country include large and representing over 20% of the total unsustainable imbalances in the co-operatives sample. Sectors economy and continued high levels which had women-only co- of unemployment. These have operatives were textiles (19%), significant impact on women’s lives. services (16%) and food and Together with the global recession, agriculture (16%). the impact has been tremendous especially on women located largely 73 The findings of the survey reflect a within the informal sector of the sector where the majority of co- economy and for women within the operatives are of a survivalist household level. This Industrial nature and most of them are not in Policy Action Plan, as one a position to have their applications component of broader, integrated for loans and grants approved. The inter-related policies, will place the findings highlight a problem of co- country on a new growth path. This operatives not being able to access has tremendous importance for the the finance they need to grow their up-liftment and economic businesses. empowerment of women. 74 There is a need for a fully fledged 71 It is estimated that the Industrial co-operative education and training Policy Action Plan will result in the institute of some sort to provide the creation of 2 477 000 direct and necessary skills for women’s indirect decent jobs over the next cooperatives to be successful and ten years. It will diversify and grow sustainable. Women require skills in exports, improve trade balance, business proposals, tender and build long term industrial capability, contract processes, financial grow the domestic technology and management, and marketing, catalyse skills development. amongst others. It is Women must make up 50% recommended that a beneficiaries of this target for mentorship programme be jobs and within all the sectors established to support identified, including in the skills emerging co-operatives, development provided. particularly those that are still at a survivalist stage. 72 Women-only co-operatives account for a significant proportion of the 75 The Co-operative Development cooperative-landscape in South Policy and related legislation Africa. In a “Baseline Study of provide for the development of an Cooperatives in South Africa”, institutional environment, including undertaken by the Department of the establishment of a Co-operative Trade and Industry in 2009, Advisory Board and secondary and
72 | P a g e tertiary co-operatives, which would construction industry, particularly provide some of the support as owners. services and create that enabling environment that the sector 4.4.8 TRANSFORMING THE currently needs. The CRIMINAL - JUSTICE SYSTEM establishment of the Advisory Body must be fast-tracked. 79 The South African Constitution has an extensive Bill of Rights which 76 State Owned Enterprises must gives primacy to the right to ensure that in awarding tenders equality and guarantees women and contracts, 50% is awarded equal rights with men. The to women. In awarding contracts Constitution also protects rights and tenders, especially to women- relating to custom, culture and only cooperatives, SOEs must religion subject to the Bill of Rights. ensure that they create, markets, value-chains and value-add for 80 Customs, social and religious sustainability of these businesses. systems, including culture, have in the past promoted patriarchy and 77 All economic empowerment codes the oppression of women. such as those set by BBBEEA, Discrimination against women due PPPFA, Mining Charter, Legal Sector to the above institutions took a Charter and others must be variety of forms, from reviewed to be strengthened, disenfranchisement to various engendered and directed at the forms of abuse. These institutions creation of entrepreneurial-ship. are still intact and still practice their The targets in all Codes must be cultures. reviewed to include 50% women as direct beneficiaries of 81 Much has been achieved to date on procurement and enterprise the area of transformation of the development. The intention should judiciary. Prior to 1993, there were be toward increased and extension only two white female judges, now of ownership for women. there are about fifty women judges out of a total of 208 judges. At the 78 The EPWP and other aspects of Magisterial level, there are about South Africa’s poverty alleviation 650 women magistrates out of a programme have also paid special total of about 1900 magistrates. attention to rural women’s This falls short of the 50/50 economic empowerment. This has principle. Women are still under- created opportunities for women to represented in the judiciary. There become construction entrepreneurs is a need for specific training and for others in public works jobs programmes to fast track the such as road works, which were employment of women into the previously given to men only. judiciary at all levels. However, the reality is that males still benefit more from the EPWP, for 82 The historical disadvantages that example, men still predominate the undermine women’s equal access to
73 | P a g e justice were not necessarily created judiciary should be understood by the current justice system; they within this context. are however reinforced by the identical treatment of women and 86 There are often unintended men when accessing the justice consequences of the law which system. This results in failure to impact negatively on women. For respond to systemic social, example, the Domestic Violence Act economic and cultural disparities in 1998 is one of the milestones of law society. reform aimed at protecting women against domestic violence. 83 The position of women, especially However, the Act has many black women, in terms of access to implementation challenges. One of justice is aggravated by their the major deficiencies of the act is oppression based on gender, race, the absence of built-in measures to class, culture, language and other address the underlying causes and factors. Women and children have influencing factors in domestic borne the brunt of ineffectual, violence situations and recidivism. insensitive and inept services when In many instances victims continue accessing the criminal justice to endure abuse despite having system where they have fallen prey secured protection orders. In some to, for instance, sexual abuse, and of these cases the abuse can in certain cases, the very role progress to murder or “intimate players they turn to for assistance femicide”. and support have exacerbated trauma inducing further victimization. 87 Due to lack of gender sensitivity, some members of the judiciary are 84 There is no doubt that tremendous not willing to fully implement progress on improving access to provisions of the Act, for example, justice for women has been (i) refusal to issue an order for the achieved. However, all that is removal of a firearm in terms of achieved so far is mostly de jure or section 7 of the Act; (ii) refusal to legal equality. Unfortunately, many issue orders evicting the of the problems that the law reform perpetrator from the premises. processes sought to address, still persists. 88 There are 96 shelters throughout the country accommodating and 85 The role of the judiciary in rendering psychosocial services to translating human rights law into women and their dependent practice is not a subject which can children who are victims of abuse. be addressed in abstract terms. It is During 2010, 13 of the existing to a large extent determined by the shelters were strengthened to laws, the legal culture and accommodate victims of human conditions of life existing in the trafficking. country. Transformation of the 89 In response to the problem of
74 | P a g e violence against women, physical injuries and had suffered government has identified factors no psychological damage as a such as law reform on bail, result of the rapes, and that they sentencing, victim empowerment, had not lost their virginity from the capacity building, extending access rapes as they had already been to courts to previously sexually active, one of them having disadvantaged areas and had sexual intercourse two days integrated responses, as critical before she was raped by the pillars of the fight to end violence accused. In the case of Nkomo v against women which accordingly the State[1], the victim was a needed to be strengthened. minor and the medical records showed that the victim sustained 90 Violence against women is a bruises of the labia minora and a manifestation of the historical torn hymen, and that the victim unequal power relations between lost her virginity as a result of the men and women, which have led to rape. However on appeal the SCA the domination over and found that the sentence of life discrimination against women, by imprisonment imposed for multiple men, and to the prevention of the rape of complainant was wrong woman’s full advancement. because the court a quo used a Furthermore violence against wrong test to determine whether women is one of the mechanisms substantial and compelling by which women are subjugated circumstances were present and and subordinated by men. the sentence was set aside and one of 16 years imprisonment was 91 SAPS Statistics released on 9th imposed. September indicates that a ratio decrease of - 4.4% in sexual 93 While there are currently 803 offences, representing a decrease police stations in the 9 provinces of 2182 cases from 70 514 to 68 with victim support rooms, as well 332. Although there is a decrease as a total of 29 Thuthuzela Care in sexual offences, the numbers Centers as of 2011, these are are still too high, calling for an clearly inadequate in meeting the increased capacity within the needs of victims of sexual violence. criminal justice system in handling Thuthuzela Care Centres are 24- this issue, and increase in the hour one-stop centres where rape provision of victim support, victims have access to all services especially in the rural areas. such as the police, counseling, 92 Lack of transformation of the doctors, court preparation and judiciary is clearly evident in the prosecution including 123 Family following cases: In the case of S v Units attached to Police Stations in Mahomotsa, the female victims all nine Provinces. were both 15 years old, and both raped by the accused at different 94 In order to respond to the times. However, the ruling was that international problem of trafficking the complainants sustained no [1] [2006] SCA 167 RSA 75 | P a g e in persons, government has decriminalization. The ideal developed a Bill, the “Prevention approach for the ANC will be for and Combating of Trafficking in the support of a position that will Persons Bill”, which aims: (i) to embrace the dignity of women. prevent trafficking in persons, (which disproportionately affect 97 Despite the tremendous progress women and children); (ii) the in improving access to justice, prosecution of traffickers and other much still has to be done to role players; and (iii) the protection translate the obligations and of victims of trafficking. It inter alia commitments made, into action so provides for the criminalisation of as to achieve real factual equality trafficking in persons and related as promised in the Constitution. acts such as subjecting a victim of Legal literacy is critical to enable trafficking to debt bondage and access to justice for women. Legal destroying or confiscating the literacy is a process of acquiring travel documents of victims of critical awareness about the law trafficking. The Bill is not yet and the rights contained in it. It is promulgated as an Act. Even also about the ability to assert though there are other laws that rights and the capacity to mobilise are used to prosecute perpetrators, for change. It is a tool for women’s women still fall through the cracks. empowerment so that they can be able to deal with gender 95 The current legal framework on inequalities in the legal and prostitution and sex work is total political systems as well as criminalization against the seller. pervasive social oppression. However, there are local Women have to understand and governments, which based on their follow the processes of the local understanding and development of laws, especially mobilization by NGOs have marriage laws, and make inputs abandoned the arrest of people during the initial stages of who are prostituting themselves. developing such laws. The Constitutional Court decision in Jordaan v State, 2002 (6) SA 642 98 There are a number of Bills that (CC); 2002 (11) BCLR 1117 (CC) are in the process of being did not advance the course of introduced to Parliament that will prostitution. However, the South have a profound impact on the African Law reform Commission transformation of the judiciary, (SALRC) is in the process of such as the Constitution investigating this matter. Amendment Bill, the Superior Courts Bill and the Legal Practice 96 Possible law reform approaches to Bill. prostitution as provided for in the SALRC Issue Paper 19 on Sexual 99 At the magistrates level, the Offences: Adult Prostitution is as Jurisdiction of Regional Courts follows: Criminalization model, Amendment Act of 2008 which Regulatory model and Total came into operation on 9 August
76 | P a g e 2010 expands the jurisdiction of the Regional Courts by conferring 102 Historically, the criminal justice on regional courts, civil jurisdiction system was created for the needs to adjudicate over civil disputes of of men, as the market was male between R100 000 and R300 000 only. However, currently the and has divorce jurisdiction. Sixty market has changed to include (62) existing Magistrates’ Courts women. Accused persons going have been designated as seats of through the criminal justice system the civil regional courts - the list of have different needs determined these courts and their areas of by their diverse nature of being jurisdiction have been published in either female or male. Females are the Gazette and advertised widely. prosecuted and incarcerated on the same basis as males. 100 The South African Law Reform Commission is investigating 103 Some women who are regulation of arbitration and prosecuted and incarcerated are alternate dispute resolution. The pregnant or have little children, aim of Alternate Dispute Resolution and they are incarcerated with is to relieve court congestion, as their children who are not guilty. well as prevent undue costs and The Minimum Standards Rules that delay; enhance community are used in prisons were developed involvement in the dispute 100 years back and are outdated. resolution process; facilitate access The current incarceration to justice; and provide more programme does not address the effective dispute resolution. issue of women and children integration into society, to ensure 101 Women and inheritance: Reform of that they are not stigmatized and Customary Law of Succession and discriminated against. In order to Related Matters Amendment Bill, eradicate systemic discrimination 2008 is intended to bring the and inequalities between women Customary Law of Succession in and men in prisons, the Minimum line with the Constitution, thereby Standard Rules must be eliminating unfair discrimination in reviewed to take into account that area of the law. The Bill which, the new market which includes among others, abolishes the women, and to ensure that the customary law rule of male rights of children of those women primogeniture. It will contribute to incarcerated are promoted and the promotion of gender equality, protected as provided for in the allowing more women and children Constitution. to share directly in the proceeds of deceased estates. The Bill has been approved by the National Assembly and is receiving the 4.4.8 MEDIA TRANSFORMATION, attention of the Select Committee OWNERSHIP AND DIVERSITY on Security and Constitutional Affairs.
77 | P a g e 104 Communications play a major role make-up of management, in deepening our democracy, production of content and the promoting a culture of human composition of the workforce rights and non-sexism as key employed in these industries. The pillars of transformation of our ‘Glass Ceiling’ survey conducted in society. The recommended media line with SADC Protocol on Gender appeal tribunal will go a long way and Development indicates that in ensuring that vulnerable there is still lack of career paths individuals and groups have identified for women and recourse in cases of unfairness and inadequate gender policies. While lack of objectivity in reporting. there was high proportion of women in the media in general 105 There has been progress in (50%), these figures are not increasing participation of women reflected at decision making (top as part of historically management - 25%). High number disadvantaged individuals (HDI) of women in the media is within the broadcast media. This employed on part-time or non- has been as a result of regulation permanent basis (61%). Many of this section of the media women are confined to support requiring ownership diversity as departments (human resources – prerequisite for licensing. This has 74%, marketing/advertising – 61%, however not been the case with administration – 59%). regard to print media which is currently unregulated by law. 108 The Glass Ceiling report further Avusa has highest HDI highlighted that discriminatory representation at 25% followed by practices, structural inequalities, Media24 at 15% while Caxton and cultural factors, prejudices, Independent has 0% ownership patriarchy and sexism continued to share for HDIs. There is a need for plague South African newsrooms to further analysis of the current a greater or lesser extent. media ownership stake transferred to HDI to determine the extent of 109 Global Media Monitoring Project the role of historically and Gender and Media Baseline disadvantaged women. Study (GMBS), conducted in Southern Africa demonstrated that 106 Women's concerns about the women constituted less than 10% media cover extend beyond of news sources in the economics, ownership to issues of control, politics and sport categories. Men representation and portrayal of constituted 92% of all those women and girls and the lack of assigned to the sports beat. gender analysis in the realm of media content, policy and 110 Government should call for the participation. development of a transformation charter for the media with gender 107 There is need for greater effort to targets on ownership, be made to improve the gender management and control,
78 | P a g e employment equity, skills determining the capacity of women development, preferential and men to participate on equal procurement, enterprise terms in the formation society. development and socio-economic development; as well as encourage 115 Important steps to be taken the introduction of gender studies include, amongst others: the need into the curriculum of for public access centres for communication/media/journalism women in the rural areas in courses. particular where training can be provided; small business 4.4.9 WOMEN AND ICT stimulation, create networks and support, increase income and 113 While there is recognition of the access to employment for women potential of ICT as a tool for the as well as participation in the formal promotion of gender equality and economy and workforce at higher the empowerment of women, a levels and with higher pay. “gender divide” has also been identified, reflected in the lower 4.4.10 WOMEN’S MOVEMENT numbers of woman accessing and using ICT compared to men. 116 The Outcome document takes However the gender dimensions of note of concerns raised about ICT- in terms of access and use, gender equality and the need for a capacity building opportunities, broad women’s movement employment and potential for operating within the broad front for empowerment should be explicitly transformation and resolves that: a identified and addressed. ICT can national process to discuss the be a powerful catalyst for political formation of such a broad women’s and social empowerment of women, movement is critical. Such a and the promotion of gender process would amongst others equality. make proposals on the form that such a women’s movement should 114 In addition to physical access to take; how it will be formed; what its the technology and the ability to role will be, and where the funding utilize it, access refers to the ability will come from. to make use of the information and the resources provided. The factors 117 With the women’s movement identified as constraints to access there are a number of civil society and use i.e. poverty, illiteracy, organizations, non- governmental including computer illiteracy and organizations and research language barriers are particularly organizations working in the field of acute for women. Women’s access gender equality. Their work to and use of ICT is constrained by generally relates to the response to factors that go beyond issues of gender based violence, the lesbian, technological infrastructure. Socially gay, bisexual and trans- constructed gender roles and gendered(LBGT) sector, general relationships play a key role in development, grassroots women’s
79 | P a g e organizational and research and The promotion of gender equality academic institutions. and strengthening of the gender machinery within government, the 118 These organizations have had legislature and within civil society significant successes in advocating must be emphasized. for and shaping gender legislation while the research sector has been Its challenge is to reach out to rural instrumental in influencing policies women and other women’s and providing evidence of formations at a local level. successful methodologies. 121 Leadership must be provided to 119 While there are some strengthen PAWO to foster a broad coordinating mechanisms within women’s movement at a civil society, no real functional continental level. At a national umbrella bodies coordinating the level, strategic leadership must be gender sector exist. Women-based continued to be provided to social organizations and NGO’s have had formations such as SAWID, significant successes in advocating Malibongwe, PWMSA and other for and shaping gender legislation, women’s organisations, in order to and the research sector has been coordinate, monitor and inform its instrumental in influencing policies policy directions and to ensure and providing evidence of mass-mobilisation within the successful methodologies. However, country for a broad women’s a stronger link is needed between movement. researchers, NGO’s, feminist intellectuals and grassroots 122 Although there is a concerted organizations. A more coherent and effort towards striving for a 50-50 sustained feminist voice is required representation of women at the to articulate positions, impact on political level and within public debate and mobilize around Government SMS levels, this is not gender issues. reflected at the private sector and corporate levels, including at the 120 In this regard, the 2006 trade union levels. Transformation resolution of the Progressive at the work place, remain rather Women’s Movement of South Africa slow. are very crucial. Among other things, the Progressive Women’s 123 Given the lack of compliance Movement proposed that: mechanisms and legislated means by which to achieve this, the Work in partnership with women in proposed gender equality all sectors for social transformation legislation will be well placed to must be intensified; cover this issue especially in the The development of young women private sector. The CEE and the must be prioritized, with young Employment Equity Act have clearly women included in progressive not been sufficient to achieve this structures; and goal. While numbers are not the
80 | P a g e foremost determinant of gender partial rather than total equality, it is a special measure achievements in this field. adopted to achieve equality. However, we must remember that 125 The creation of the national the gender equality legislation will institution, the Women’s Ministry, is need to look at a “beyond numbers” meant to strengthen the existing approach to measures that would uncoordinated national gender ensure the transformation at the machinery at the highest level of workplace. The current environment government, with clear defined means that even though women are mandate and authority, adequate increasingly entering the workplace, resources and the ability to they are continuously negotiating influence policy, formulate and these spaces within an review legislation that would organizational culture that has been potentially assist in the fight for the determined previously and which is total women emancipation. fundamentally maintains male domination hegemony. 126 Taking the lessons learn from Chile, for example, the struggle for women’s representation in decision 4.4.11 INSTITUTIONAL making position in Chile comes a MECHANISMS FOR long way. Among other GENDER EQUALITY achievements, women of Chile has a dedicated ministry, Ministry of 3. The gender machinery, that Women Affairs, and the country has existed prior to the recently elected its first ever establishment of the women’s women president. Further, Chile has ministry, was unable to also managed to achieve equal adequately respond to the representation of both genders in institutional preparation for cabinet. women in critical positions. Experiences from women’s 127 Despite these achievements ministries from Chile and realized in Chile, the biggest Tunisia have provided useful challenge facing the country with lessons on the strengths and regard to women matters is the weakness of the approach. class-divide among women. It is urged that certain section of the 124 Abundant evidence exist women population in Chile have showing a multitude of private, been unable to realize the benefits public, community-based and non- of all these achievements. An governmental institutions and indigenous group, referred to as formations that conduct work on “Mapuche” or “Pobladoras”, living women’s matters. The challenge in the poor and rural; areas, is with this set-up appears to be a lack increasingly marginalized from the of coordination of these efforts. This political and social spheres of life. explains, to a large extent, the As an example, it has been argued that “Mapuche” women are often
81 | P a g e not hired for jobs in which they 4. The establishment of the would be attending to the public Ministry of Women and Family because their physical Affairs in Tunisia has, on the other characteristics do not accord with hand, put focus on the root causes Chilean standards of beauty, which of the marginalization of women. value the “European features” As a way of tackling the problem of gender inequality, the people of Tunisia went back to instituting and improving the definition of the women’s role within the family. The role of women and their rights within the family was reshaped to ensure that there are equal responsibilities between the genders in the household. Their view of women empowerment was based on the principle of gender equality, respect for women’s rights and equality shared responsibility in the conduct of family affairs.
5. With this approach, it has been reported that the status of women was raised to the status of fully- entitled partners within the household. This has also lead to other spin-offs, such as the raising enrolment rate of women in schools. During 1995-1996, the enrolment rate among rural girls aged between 6 and 12 years was 89.4%,41.7% for girls attending primary school, and a 44%rise in secondary school enrolment. Noting the rise in enrolment among women, the school curricula were changed to anchor the principle of gender equality at a young age.
128 There are two major lessons that can be learned from the cases of Chile and Tunisia. Firstly, the case of Chile has demonstrated that even after major battles have been won around women matters, there
82 | P a g e could still be other challenges, for women matters exist in South example, class struggles, on which Africa. However, lack of focused attention needs to be paid, coordination of these efforts secondly, the case of Tunisia has renders them ineffective, or only successfully demonstrated that partially beneficial. There is though the establishment of therefore a need for coordination Department specifically for the and ensuring that all available empowerment and advancement programmes are looking at of women, major achievements addressing the problem holistically. could be realized through having a This would also ensure that no dedicated and well–resources state duplication of previously institution that is able to influence undertaken processes takes place. policy at the highest level. 132 While acknowledging the 129 It can be argued that the focus achievements related to the South and investment on the root cause African National Policy Framework of the problem in Tunisia was for Women’s Empowerment and made possible by the presence of a Gender Equality, we also note that women’s ministry, which was able it was not fully implemented, thus to ensure that the gender balance weakening the institutional is first achieved at the household mechanism for gender level. transformation. It is key that this aspect be elevated into an Act that 130 The Women’s Ministry in South clearly defines the institutional Africa, informed by our specific mechanism for gender context, was envisaged to focus, transformation. The development among other things, on developing of the Gender equality Act must a thorough understanding of therefore be accelerated. . women matters in South Africa. This would be necessary for the Ministry to be able to ensure that 133 We await a clear policy women of all social status are position as to how the Ministry included in the policy decisions and will propose to package the programme design processes. gender mainstreaming Failure to observe this could machinery, including clarity on potentially lead to class the roles and responsibilities differentiation among women. The between the Ministry and the Ministry is also envisaged to Commission for Gender coordinate and monitor the Equality. This must take into implementation of consideration the general projects/programmes aimed at recommendations contained in the women’s empowerment. Ad Hoc Committee Review Report on Chapter 9 Institutions that “the 131 A number of policy guidelines, Committee believes that in the legislative frameworks and interim a strong and effective institutions doing credible work on [Gender Equality] Commission
83 | P a g e acting on its own is absolutely matters. There is a need to necessary for the transformation of coordinate and consolidate gender relations in our country”. administration and information sources pertaining to women 134 Realign the role of women within issues. In this way, the Ministry the family and the society at large, would not have to implement as was shown in the case of programmes or projects, but form Tunisia, there is a need for women links with institutions dealing with to reclaim their status in the such issues on the ground. There is households as much as they do in a great need for coordinated the broader society. This is to say interventions and also ensuring that family units need to be aware that proper support is offered. of difficulties facing women, both within the family and in the 138 Develop and perform policy broader society. While empowering analysis, review and formulate women in the broader society, legislation in accordance with the their roles and responsibilities Ministry’s areas of focus. This within the household should not be means that the Women’s Ministry diminished, but rather the extent must develop gender policies in of support should be cognizant of line with development the dual role. interventions desired for the broader society, taking cognizance 135 Offer critical support for women of the needs of both rural and in poverty: The Ministry should urban women. ascertain that women in different social situations are catered for, 4.4.12 CONCLUSION not only through social development, in terms of grants, 142 Like the brave patriots of 1956, the but also by addressing their need women present at this National for growth as women and their Conference for Women are saying, participation in the development 17 years into our cherished programmes. democracy: “We shall not rest until we have won for our children 136 Provide support to women their fundamental rights of already in decision-making freedom, justice, and security”. positions. The Ministry should The Women’s Charter clearly ensure that women in senior stipulates that women do not form positions are adequately prepared a society separate from the men. for their roles and responsibilities. There is only one society, and it is Currently, this responsibility is made up of both men and women. given to various institutions across The founding members of the the three spheres of Government Federation of South African Women and success is far-and-between. embraced their male comrades by acknowledging that there is only 137 Forge links between NGO’s and one society, and it is made of both CBO’s currently focusing on women men and women.
84 | P a g e 139 Gender inequality and other patriarchy related social ills are an integral part of the transformation agenda of the country. As a collective, we have a long walk to sustainable APPENDIX 1 gender parity and together we can do more. The Conference Address delivered by the Hon Ms Lulu supported the proposed Gender Xingwana: Minister for Women, Equality Bill and expects the Children and People with Disabilities Minister for Women, Children at the Official Opening Ceremony of and People with Disabilities to the National Women’s Conference on give it the priority it deserves. 31 July to 3 August 2011, Birchwood Admittedly, the impact of our Hotel and Conferencing Centre, laws and policies will be Boksburg evaluated against the quality of life of all women of South Africa, Hon Programme Director: MS. Bathabile especially those in rural areas Dlamini: Minister of Social Development and other impoverished sections Hon Ms. Nomvula Mokhanyana: Premier of of our society. We are striving Gauteng for a better life for all women! Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers Honourable Ms. Dorothy Ramodibe: Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Honourable Members of Parliament Dr. Agostinho Zacarias: United Nations Resident Representative Distinguished Speakers, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen Women of this country
I bid you all a very good evening and welcome all of you to this auspicious occasion tonight when we celebrate the 49th year of the creation of the Pan African Women’s Organization through marking Pan-African Women’s Day. We also focus tonight on launching the South African Chapter of the African Women’s Decade 2010-2020. Most importantly I welcome all of you to this official opening session of the First National Women’s Conference of the Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities on the brink of the National Women’s Month commemoration in this country.
85 | P a g e enable the gender machinery to perform Honourable Programme Director, Allow me more effectively and efficiently. The aim is to begin by announcing to the Conference to accelerate the realization of a non-sexist that I together with some of my colleagues and non racial South Africa as envisaged in this morning held a press briefing to the Constitution of the Republic South launch the start the month of August. This Africa, Act 108 of 1996. National Conference is therefore the opening activity that paves the road to the The Department for Women, Children and celebration of National Women’s Day on 9th People with Disabilities acts as a central August at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, in coordinating point, an oversight, Limpopo province. monitoring and evaluation arm for national efforts on women’s empowerment and At this stage, distinguished women and gender equality. The DWCPD must ensure men of this country, permit me to share that the mainstreaming of gender with you the message from H.E our considerations in all national policies, President Mr. Jacob Zuma. He apologises programmes and activities is taking place for not being with us at this Conference to across government institutions. The engage with women on their issues. He ultimate goal of the DWCPD is to achieve wishes the Conference well and gender equality and ensure that the encourages a fruitful deliberation of issues institutional mechanisms at all levels and closest to us. However he has requested in all spheres of governance are H.E the Deputy President Mr. Kgalema strengthened, and to open up space for Mothlanthe to address us on Wednesday at the inclusion of rural women and women in the close of the Conference. Our President the different categories who are in the will be addressing women at the August 9th most poverty stricken areas and situations event in Limpopo. We are therefore indeed in our country. proud as women tonight to acknowledge that our leadership is indeed taking the The vision and Mission of the Department issues of women seriously that within a is “A fully inclusive society free from unfair week we have the two most senior leaders discrimination, inequality, abuse and in the country gracing our events. I thank exploitation”. This means that all efforts of the Presidency for this effort. the department, and the manner in which relevant stakeholders in the public sector, Programme Director, I would like to take private sector, business, corporate world, this opportunity to briefly share with the labour movement and civil society, as well Conference tonight the purpose of the as the manner in which it provides Ministry and the Department. When the oversight on gender, disability and Honourable President announced the children’s issues in the country, will be creation of this Ministry on 9th May 2009, it geared towards ensuring a society that is heralded a new chapter in the history of non-sexist, non racist, inclusive, human this country. It was a statement to the rights based and conducive to the women – saying that we have heard your advancement, development, promotion calling and we heed to the struggles you and protection of the three groups. have embarked on since way back from 1913 and even earlier. Although South Africa’s multi-agency national gender machinery is globally The intention of creating the Ministry is to acknowledged as one of the most strengthen the current institutional advanced machineries, lack of financial mechanisms for advancing women’s and human resources have prevented it empowerment and gender equality to from achieving its original objective of
86 | P a g e truly transforming women’s lives. badly with regard to the representation of Although many global commitments have women in management positions in the been made towards financing for gender corporate sector. This was also equality and the empowerment of women, corroborated in the release of the latest women remain amongst the poorest of the survey by the Business Women’s poor, and we have not yet managed to Association on women CEOs and Board achieve a holistic approach to financing for Chairs - we are now looking at working women’s empowerment. with the Business Women’s Association and the JSE to look at including the criteria Some of the initiatives that the of gender equity issues for listing of Department is currently working on include companies on the JSE. the The concluding observations of the CEDAW Proposed Gender Equality Bill ; Committee also allude to the work Sanitary Dignity Campaign; opportunities and creation of employment Technogirl project which focuses opportunities and decent work for women, on increasing access to education, especially in the instance of rural women training, science and technology and urban poor women. We are working by girls and women, a project with the Department for Economic we’ve just showcased at the Development and other relevant partners UNCSW recently; to ensure that the Framework for the New On addressing the scourge of Growth Path is engendered and that a violence against women and girls target is set for women accessing jobs we are proposing an advisory through the Jobs Fund. These targets must council which will be a structure be determined by this Conference over the coordinating all efforts aimed at next three days. the eradication of Violence against women and girls; However, our greatest scourge in the On addressing rural development country at present is that of gender based and poverty eradication, we are violence. Lately we are being subjected to looking at the possibility of coming the issue of “corrective rape”. The CEDAW up with a fund that will support Committee was very vocal on the high our rural development rates of violence against women and girls programmes, support NGO’s and in South Africa – especially on sexual CSO’s. violence and abuse. We are putting forward the National Council on Gender We have recently presented our Based Violence as a concerted integrated consolidated second, third and fourth and coordinated mechanism to address progress reports to the CEDAW Committee this scourge with the most serious of in Geneva in January 2011. The concluding intentions. observations of the Committee have indicated both positive and negative Government has been part of the launch of aspects of our struggles for women’s the United Nations Secretary-General’s empowerment and gender equality. campaign on ending violence against women from its inception. In 2008, during While we have made great strides and the 52nd Session of the UN Commission on tremendous progress in areas such as the Status of Women in New York, the political representation of women and on Secretary-General utilized the International representation of women in management Women’s Day commemoration to “blow positions in government, we are doing very the whistle on violence against women and
87 | P a g e girls” in a global way. He also announced against patriarchy and all other forms of the creation of a global database on oppression against women. As the co- violence against women”. This database author of the Communist Manifesto, was launched in March 2009, during the Friedrich Engels outlines it in his essay “On 53rd Session of the UNCSW. Together with the Origin of the Family, Private Property the campaign to “Unite to End Violence and the State”; the history of patriarchy against Women”, this database will assist can be traced back to the emergent of an in raising awareness on a large scale and economically uneven society. Since the will definitely result in intergovernmental development of a class society, women collaboration on a grander scale towards have been exploited both as suppliers of preventing organized crime such as the labour themselves and as producers of trafficking in humans especially women more sources of labour through child and girls. bearing.
However, Programme Director, we need to Various political and cultural practices bring this global effort closer to home – were adopted to reinforce or justify the both to Africa and South Africa itself. While dominance of men over women. Until the continent shows high levels of violence today, women are still fighting some of against women and girls especially in these cultural practices such ukuthwala conflict-torn countries, South Africa in (forced marriages) and female genital particular presents serious concerns in mutilation. It is for that reason that we some types of violence against women and encourage the SA Law Commission to girls and children in general. investigate the appropriate legal instrument to make ukuthwala an offence. All of these efforts towards addressing violence against women are critical for us Currently, we rely on the Sexual Offences in this country. This means that we need to Act which protects young girls under the elevate these campaigns into national age of 16 years from such a practice. We ones and collaborate in a meaningful way also have to find a legal instrument to to bring coherence to these efforts. protect adult women who may still be subjected to this harmful traditional A more concerted effort is needed by us to practice against their will. raise awareness within the justice and legal systems. Let us not only look at Despite current participation in the paid prevention – because this is only labour market, women continue to carry addressing the symptoms. Let us look at the burden of unpaid work including the root causes – which mean we need to domestic duties and child care. All of this tackle the issues of patriarchy and labour from women remains unrecognized institutionalized sexism. We also need to in our society because what is not address the issue of socialization – when measured cannot be valued economically. we as women and children and girls allow Therefore, the efforts of our government to these things to happen to us because of achieve universal access to Early the way we have been socialized. We need Childhood Development programme does to also begin to address the issue of not only support child growth and enhance masculinity and what it means to be a man education outcomes. It also frees many in the present society vis a vis cultural and women of the burden of unpaid work. traditional practices. However, as reported at the 55th Session of This National Women’s Conference gives the United Nations Commission on the us an opportunity to review the global fight Status of Women in New York in February-
88 | P a g e March this year, many women remain in disability sector to ensure that we are fully feminized sectors of the economy with a inclusive in this Conference. significant gender wage gap. There is a need to intensify efforts to increase the Programme Director, I submit that while number of women in economic sectors we have done this work, we acknowledge such as natural science, engineering and that we were not able to do so with all technology. categories of women. We have therefore included a session called “face to face” in Honourable Programme Director, This this Conference to broaden the process. National Conference is therefore intended to create the space and platform for the Programme Director, I want to say that we women of this country to speak out on all have this opportunity. We must use it to the issues that critically impact their lives the fullest. We must make our voices and the lives of their families. This is why count. we have structured the programme in the way that we have. We have provided the Allow me to conclude by quoting from the opportunity for as many Cabinet Ministers Women’s Charter of 1954: as possible to use this platform and engage with you on the issues closest to I quote: “As members of the National you. I urge you all to take up this Liberatory movements and Trade Unions, opportunity and deliberate on these issues. in and through our various organizations, we march forward with our men in the The Department has undertaken to struggle for liberation and the defence of coordinate this platform so that we can the working people. We pledge ourselves jointly determine the women’s agenda to keep high the banner of equality, going forward. In this regard, we have fraternity and liberty. As women there done much work on the road to this rests upon us also the burden of removing Conference. We consulted with the from our society all the social differences National Gender Machinery regularly on developed in the past times between men this programme and planning for the and women, which have the effect of Conference. We have met with about 450 keeping our sex in a position of inferiority rural based women from the 13-14 May and subordination”. I unquote. 2011 in Tzaneen during the National Rural Women’s Summit and visited about 6 We will continue to strive for a better life farms in the area that are owned or for all women! managed by women. We have held discussions with the National Gender I thank you Machinery on the proposed Gender Equality Bill and the New Growth Path. We Malibongwe! have held discussions with Gauteng and North West Provincial Gender Machineries and the Premier of the Free State on institutional mechanisms. We have hosted a Young Women’s Summit two weeks ago so that young women’s voices are carried to this conference as a collective. We have met with women in the media three days ago so that we enable their voices to come through. We have collaborated with the
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