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Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill [B-2012] Public Hearing Portfolio Committee: Women, Children and PLWD. Presentation Content. Introduction. Born into the new democratic South Africa and as such embraced government’s policies to contribute to building an economy that is premised on
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Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill [B-2012]Public HearingPortfolio Committee: Women, Children and PLWD
Introduction • Born into the new democratic South Africa and as such embraced government’s policies to contribute to building an economy that is premised on • Inclusivity • Fairness • Equality • Unwavering commitment to both gender equality and women empowerment • From junior management to senior top management, women representation ranges between 42% to 55%
Definitions/Clarity • Definitions • The Bill should establish criteria for ‘designated’ private or public bodies. • The Bill should define ‘decision making structure’ – This is important as the requirement of 50% representivity of women applies to this term. • Meaning of ‘decision making positions and structures’ which may differ substantially between public and private bodies. • Clarity • How long after a designated body has submitted its strategy/plans may the Minister request a progress report • Expectations on Social Development for designated private bodies
Alignment • Other related legislation • The Bill must align to the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and the Employment Equity Act (EEA). • Clarity around alignment of the provisions of this Bill with other gender equity related legislation • Duplication of structures, reporting and monitoring • Increased costs for designated bodies and the government due to duplication. • The EEA and this Bill state they will be the overriding legislation relating to the subject. • Targets must align with other related legislation
Established governance structure exists in respect of EEA and BBBEE monitoring and reporting: • BBBEE audit agencies appointed and in place • EEA reporting established • Increased burden on government and designated bodies if new monitoring and reporting structures and requirements introduced • Enforcement provision reference to ‘any dispute resolution mechanisms’ requires clarification • Consequences of non-compliance requires clarification Monitoring, Reporting and Enforcement
Consideration should be given to: • Definitions • Clarification of definitions and terminology used in the bill • Alignment • General alignment of gender equity related legislation • Monitoring and Reporting • Integration of plans/strategies, monitoring and reporting for EEA and WEGE requirements – avoid duplication • General • Targets being contained in codes rather than the legislation • Targets linking to demographics of the economically active population • Government’s responsibility towards healthcare and education • Clarify extent of Ministerial powers to achieve objectives of bill by notice in Gazette • Enforcement provision clarification General Recommendations