INSTITUTIONALISATION OF GENDER

INSTITUTIONALISATION OF GENDER

Western Cape Province
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING

Report 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005

STRUCTURES

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

BOTH EXTERNAL & INTERNAL ROLE PLAYERS (INTEGRATED APPROACH)

KEY OBJECTIVES:

-Mainstreaming of human rights(I.e. Gender, Youth, Disability) into the core business of the Department

-Institutional analysis / Audits (all Dept policies/procedures) / recommendations

-Training / capacity building / raising awareness

--Networking / Partnerships / Co-ordination of resources

-Implementation of Departmental Human Rights Action Plan

-Monitoring / Evaluation / Reporting

-Development and Implementation of effective gender monitoring and evaluation tools during 2005

REVIEW OF PROGRESS MADE IN 2004

INTERNAL CAPACITY BUILDING

GFP completed course facilitated by the OSW and Consultant on mainstreaming Gender, Youth and Disability

Targeted training / awareness raising for all staff

EXTERNAL CAPACITY BUILDING

-Workshop for women in Local Government (Sept 2004)

Purpose – To build on existing knowledge base and expertise and to stimulate future development amongst participants

The workshop brainstormed barriers to female empowerment in Local Government and discussed strategies / resolutions

Outcome: Envisaged development of a Gender Equality Policy Framework for Local Government

-Women in Construction Conference hosted Dec 2004

Purpose: Capacity building / networking / empowerment

Outcome: Establishment of Western Cape Women in Construction Forum

HUMAN RIGHTS ROADSHOW (CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOPS)

In partnership with Directorate Human Rights Programs: Dept of the Premier consulted with the 5 District Municipalities, civil society and the NGO sector on the following to advance the issues of gender equality, disability and youth development:

- establishment of integrated structures / need for strengthening of existing structures at district level

- raise awareness and determine priorities

- Assist with and determine funding needs

- follow-up workshops to commence September 2005

PARTNERSHIPS / NETWORKING

GAP – Dialogue and assistance with developing skills of women councilors
Provincial Departments – Involved in development of the Provincial Anti-Rape Strategy (lead by Dept Community Safety)
Partnership on ending violence against women - Coordinated approach / funded workshop on developing a framework to end violence against women for
R 80 000.00 / Developed a framework to end violence against women (driven by Prov Dept Social Services and Poverty Alleviation)
Partnership with Gender Committee of the City of Cape Town – dialogue / strategic advise and support / special events

MONITORING / EVALUATION OF DEPT PROJECTS / STATISTICS

Quarterly monitoring of representative statistics of Dept by EE Forum / Dept projects
Future use of Community Development Workers for monitoring / evaluation

PARTICIPATION IN RELATED COMMITTEES

Provincial Inter-Departmental Gender Committee (internal)

Provincial Integrated Disability Forum (external / internal)

Women in Construction Forum (external)

Provincial HIV & AIDS Committees

Network on Violence against Women

SPECIAL PROJECTS

A Haven for Beaufort West Street Children

CHALLENGES

Sustained equitable service delivery by the Department
Assistance and guidance to municipalities to ensure gender mainstreaming
Finalisation and implementation of gender monitoring and evaluation tools

RECOMMENDATIONS

Development of minimum standards for reporting on representative statistics for all projects / services
Implement gender machinery for municipalities to ensure gender mainstreaming at local level
Implementation of gender monitoring and evaluation tools
Strategic placement of gender structures within Department to ensure effective mainstreaming