Commission for Gender Equality 2009/2010 Annual Report

1. ANNUAL REPORT 2009/2010 1 COMMISSION FOR GENDER EQUALITY 27 OCTOBER 2010

2. CGE MANDATE Constitution of SA: In terms of Section 187 of the Constitution of SA, CGE was created to strengthen and deepen constitutional democracy in South Africa. The Commission on Gender Equality Act 39 of 1996: Charges the CGE with a mandate to promote respect for, as well as promote the protection, development and attainment of gender equality. PEPUDA Act 4 of 2000: Obligates the CGE to institute proceedings of unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender 2

3. EXECUTION OF THE MANDATE • Monitor • Investigate • Research • Educate • Lobby • Advise Parliament and report on issues concerning gender equality • To influence legislation & policies to be gender sensitive by responding to all legislations and relevant policy • To monitor compliance to international, regional instruments • To strengthen outreach services 3

4. INTERNAL & EXTERNAL CHALLENGES 4

5. ORGANISATIONAL CONCERNS & OPPORTUNITIES 5

6. SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The CGE through its operational departments have managed to achieve most of its pre-determined objectives. 3 Key Operational Departments are; Public Education & Information Legal Services Research 6

7. SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE INFORMATION-PEI 7

8. SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE INFORMATION-PEI 8

9. SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE INFORMATION-PEI HIGHLIGHTS National Office • held a Women and the Media Dialogue during the month of October 2009. This was a collaborative seminar with Media and Diversity Development Agency (MDDA) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). • Two working groups have been established to prepare reports on the country’s compliance with the international instruments, namely the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The working groups comprise officers from the Research, Legal and PEI Departments. The two reports will be available in the 2010/11 financial year. 9

10. SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE INFORMATION-PEI HIGHLIGHTS The Eastern Cape office • headed a consortium of the Commission, SAHRC, UNPFA, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and OPP. The prime purpose of the established consortium was the development of material that would be used in their interventions in fighting against forced marriages, Ukhutwala. 16 days of activism • Interventions during this period focused on the impact that GBV has on the increased number of HIV infections as well as increases in rape and sexual assault incidents. Other interventions focused on men, masculinities and gender-based violence as well as possible increase of violent incidents during the FIFA World Cup. 10

11. PEI CONT… The Kwazulu-Natal office: Harmful Cultural Practices • Three practices discussed at the dialogues were virginity testing, ukuthwala and male initiation. The dialogues discussed whether traditional practices still hold relevance and whether these practices are indeed being undertaken within the ambit of culture. Also for consideration: these traditional and/or cultural practices to take cognizance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Maternity Benefits • spearheaded two pilot consultative workshops on Maternity Benefits for Self-Employed Women. The workshops were held on 18 and 20 August 2009 in Stanger and Durban respectively. A diverse group of working women gathered at both workshops to dialogue and debate the issues with the campaign team and to deliberate on the policy gap and the practical impact on working women. 11

12. PEI CONT…… The Mpumalanga office: Men against violence • hosted a men’s seminar on issues of gender based violence at White River on 26 November 2009 followed by a men’s march on 27 November 2009. 12

13. MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS • Support for line departments by printing reports and pamphlets • 40 media coverage or interventions were made for the year under review addressing or looking into issues ranging from and not limited to: • CGE’s mandate • Forced marriages • Sex work • Human trafficking • Maternity benefits • Gender & Elections • GBV • Interviews were mainly conducted with National and Community based radio stations. 13

14. SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE INFORMATION-LEGAL DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS OF COMPLAINTS • Chieftaincy cases • SAWFA • Estate Matter- Recognition of Customary Marriages & Interstate of Succession COURT MONITORING For the year under review, 16 cases were monitored countrywide. The purpose of monitoring was to ascertain the courts functionality. PUBLIC HEARINGS The Legal Department participated in 10 public hearings organised by parliament. The Public hearings held were on the Traditional Courts Bill 14

15. LEGAL CONT…. PARLIAMENTARY LIASON SUBMISSIONS 12 Submissions were made to Bills before Parliament including draft bills likely to affect Women. Issues covered included and not limited to: • Human Trafficking • Customary Marriages • Domestic Violence • Adult Prostitution • Protection against Harassment and • Expansion of the CGE mandate to assist citizens in foreign jurisdictions. 15

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17. SERVICE DELIVERY –PERFORMANCE INFORMATION- RESEARCH DEPARTMENT 17

18. SERVICE DELIVERY HIGHLIGHTS • Beijing Project • CEDAW Project • CSW Seminar Report • Internal Staff Training on International Instruments • Elections Monitoring & Dialogue Reports • Parliamentary Submissions • Identification- Reservation in Terms of AU Protocol • Ratification of SADC Protocol • Ukhutwala in Eastern Cape • Petition in KZN- Manyiseni Matter • Maternity Benefits Project • Land Study Report 18

19. SERVICE DELIVERY –PERFORMANCE INFORMATION- VARIANCES • CGE fleet was grounded from May to 14 August 2009. • POA was circulated 24 June 2009 to provinces and roll-out commenced almost into the 2nd quarter • Capacity in terms of the vacancy rate had a major impact on implementation. Concerted effort was made to execute the activities but as mentioned lack of capacity and overall late roll out of POA had impacted on implementation. • Specific activities were done at national level and not at provinces, but was in the POA to be rolled out to provinces. • In relation to cultural practices were expected to be executed, but could not due to provincial dynamics not all provinces have similar practices. • There have been limitations in terms of data required to finalise the projects as government departments responses are very slow at times no responses are received. CGE needs to develop a strategy to ensure governments compliance to request for data. 19

20. RE-ENGINEERING ROAD MAP 20

21. THANK YOU!!! 21