Joint Strategic Planning Session of Special Programmes

· We can Proudly say that we have 32/8% representation of women in National Assembly and other spheres of Government, and in the 11th Position in the world with regard to the appointment of women in Parliament.

· Given the above I therefore think we need to spend sometime on Gender Mainstreaming.

Gender Mainstreaming Definition

· It is a process rather than a goal.

· Its main aim is to end Gender Discrimination at all levels and stages of life.

· It can be seen as a strategy for transforming the stream of life by making gender a main focus in Policy & Project planning, implementation & Evaluation.

Goals and Objectives of Gender Mainstreaming

· To build Societies where Women and Men can reach their Full Human Potential and Participate as equals in the Development of their Societies.

· To encourage equal access to knowledge and career opportunities.

· To encourage Women's creativity and Freedom of expression

· To ,Rromote and protect the Human Rights of all.

· To promote full and equal education for males and females.

· South Africa is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as to numerous other international conventions protecting Human Rights.

· Non -sexism and non-racialism is one of the basic principles of the South African Constitution

International and National Mandate For Gender Mainstreaming:

· Mandates and Regulations attempt to serve women’s strategic needs for empowerment

· Gender Mainstreaming implies that we should make systematic efforts:

To look at specific experiences for both men and women & to attend to aspirations as men and women.

Key international instruments on Women Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),1979.

· This document is a major international instrument that defines what discrimination against women is, and where it is located in society in all political and public fields, e.g., in education, employment, governance.

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women 1993

· This Declaration complements and strengthens prior international instruments on women's rights.

· The Declaration is mainly concerned that violence against women, whether physical, sexual and/or psychological, is an obstacle to the achievement of equality, development and peace.

The Beijing Platform for Actions. (BPFA)

· The Beijing Platform for Action is a result of the Conference on Women that took place in Beijing in 1995.

· BPFA is an agenda for women's empowerment, which aims to accelerate earlier commitments on women's rights.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People ‘s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa,2003.

· Women must be given equal opportunities in the work environment.

· The Protocol also states that women must be able to participate in all political and decision-making processes.

The African Union and Gender Equality

· The African Union committed to promoting Gender mainstreaming throughout Africa

· The Beijing+10 Review, 2005

· Most significant change in Area of Human Rightsa

· Progress in reducing literacy

· Not substantive change in the area of Violence, reproductive health and HIVjAIDS, trafficking.

What should be done to ensure that Gender Mainstreaming is addressed.

· Address attitudes and Behaviors that are discriminatory.

· Ensure that Policies and Processes are Gender Sensitive

· Ensure equal access and opportunities to services.

How do we ensure that the above-mentioned is addressed:

· Representation of women in all spheres of Government

· Gender Focused Projects e.g SMME’s and tender allocations

· Provide Gender Mainstreaming Training

· Policies are Gender Specific and Gender responsive

· Decision Makers and Policy Makers are Gender Sensitive and informed about Gender issues.

· Gender responsive Budget.

Recommendations

· A comprehensive capacity building training sessions with in-depth content in manuals for Public Sector managers-SAMDI will soon roll out a training programme in that regar

· Public Service Managers to mainstream issues affecting designated groups within Government's day to day activities.

· Departments and municipalities to continue to strengthen, designate, promote and monitor the implementation of Gender activities.

In conclusion I would like to say that Gender Mainstreaming issues have to be addressed within programmes of Government, and Departments have to be innovative in how they address issues of Gender and needs specific to women ‘s participation, communication capacity building and Gender-sensitive indicators as advocated for in the Framework.

THANK you. KE A LEBOGA.NGI YA BONGA.