Question NW511 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
30 April 2024 - NW511
Makata, Ms T Z to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
What initiatives has her Office launched that focus on the socialisation of men to promote gender equity and a masculinity which is not oppressive to women and the girl child in addressing gender-based violence and femicide?
Reply:
(a) The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union, convened on the 27-28 November 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr Azali Assoumani, President of the Republic of the Comoros and 2023 African Union Chairperson and H.E Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and African Union Circle of champions lead to end violence against Women and Girls, for the third meeting of the African Heads of State and Government on Positive Masculinity to end violence against Women and Girls in Africa.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities coordinated the departments across all spheres of government, Civil Society Organisations, business sector, traditional leaders –national and provincial, male and female kings and chiefs, Faith Based Organisations, private sector and all participating African countries.
Pre-consultation sessions were held with all the sectors to influence the program, but also to mobilize and garner support in designing programmes aimed addressing the scourge, post the conference. In the end, the heads of state emerged with an outcome document, to be implemented and monitored by ALL.
(b) The Department also leads the coordination of the 16 Days of activism for no violence against women and children. It is during this period that we heighten awareness, and educate society on services available and how to access those.
(c) The Department partnered with the taxi industry and the department of Transport by training the taxi marshals, taxi drivers and taxi owners on the National Strategic Plan on GBVF and what constitutes GBVF.