COMMISSION ON GENDER EQUALITY Parliamentary Hearing Report To the Portfolio Committee 17th March 2006

Vision A society free from gender discrimination and oppression

Mission Promotion, Protection, Monitoring and Evaluation of gender equality through: I) Fostering public understanding by developing, managing and conducting educational and information programmes ii) Proactively and reactively investigating issues and complaints on gender discrimination at all levels identified through interaction with stakeholders and other concerned citizens to attain reform in the area of gender equality and iii) Conducting research to further the objectives of the institution

Strategic objectives Monitor, and develop where necessary, effective gender monitoring mechanisms for public and private institutions to ensure the appropriate implementation of gender sensitive strategies, policies and programmes Develop, manage and conduct information and education programmes for the promotion and attainment of gender equality Evaluate and monitor and Act of Parliament or any other law or treaty affecting or likely to affect gender equality or the status of women and make recommendations to Parliament with regard thereto; Law reform to be made part of the legal service department Investigate any gender-related issues of its own accord or receipt of a complaint and endeavour to resolve any dispute and rectify any act or omission

Programmes Public Education and Information: Develops, manages and conducts information and education programmes, including workshops and campaigns Policy and Research: Undertakes research in rural and urban settings in all provinces through the Provincial Offices of the CGE

Programmes (cont.) Legal Services: Investigates gender-related issues, Evaluates and monitors any Act of Parliament or any other law or treaty affecting or likely to affect gender equality Submissions to Parliament with regard thereto.

Programmes for enhancement of capacity within the CGE Civil Society Advocacy Programme Agreement SA/73200-03-03 Objective: The project will contribute towards more effective governance, reduction of poverty and improved living conditions in selected communities. Results: Targeted CSO’s provide effective advocacy support thus The targeted communities are empowered to access their rights Chapter 9 institutions provide active advocacy support within their mandate Budget: Total commitment for May 2005-May 2006 = R10m Total commitment for duration of period = Euros 3.3 million

Programmes for enhancement of capacity within the CGE (2) Premier’s Discretionary Fund: Eastern Cape Objectives: Conduct situational analysis and collect data in 3 pilot areas Combat gender-based violence Gender mainstreaming Institutional capacity building Empower women through skills development Empower women economically Integrate gender equality component into existing programmes Establish community newsletter Budget: R1m

Corporate activities Restructuring and Job Evaluation (Completed) Performance Management (Ongoing) Skills Development (Ongoing) Employment Equity (Ongoing) Risk Management (Ongoing) Fraud Prevention Plan (Completed) Supply Chain Management (Ongoing) Internal Auditing (Annual auditing) Strategic Planning (Annual Review) Internal Review (Forthcoming) External audit (Unqualified audit report 2005/6)

Human Resources Currently: Female: 48; Male: 16 Since 1999 the CGE’s total staff complement (secretariat) increased from 42 to a total of 64 employees in 2006: Currently: Female: 48; Male: 16 Senior Managers: 2 female, 2 male HDI’s: 95%

Financial Resources Treasury allocation increased from R8m in 1999 to R26,4m in 2005/6 Next allocation for 2006/7 will be R37,7m

Financial Resources 1998/ 1999 1999/ 2000 2000/ 2001 2001/ 2002   1998/ 1999 1999/ 2000 2000/ 2001 2001/ 2002 2002/ 2003 2003/ 2004 2004/ 2005 2005/ 2006 Treasury Allocation R8m R10,7m R12,2m R13m R14,9m R17,3m R 21.30 R26,4 Donor Funds R0.62m R1,2m R0,25m R0.3m R1,5m R1.7m R2m Requested Budget R20m R22m R25m R30m R34m R39m 39.4m R44m Shortfall R11,3m R10m R12m R16m R18,5m R20,1m R18m R18.3m

Financial Resources

Financial Resources 2006/7

CGE Budget 06/07 Division of Funding

Programme expenditure 2006/7

Donor Funding 2005/6 Mott Foundation Heinrich Böhl Stiftung Research on Women’s Participation in Local Governance Heinrich Böhl Stiftung Gender Opinion Survey Premier’s Discretionary Fund Eastern Cape Province European Union Civil Society Advocacy Programme (with other C9s)

Research Gender Mainstreaming in Monitoring and evaluation activities: Gender Mainstreaming in national and provincial departments, local authorities, political parties (50/50 campaign), ordinary citizens gender opinions

Research Research Reports 2005/6: National Gender Opinion Survey Monitoring and evaluation of women’s participation in political decision-making The gender dimension of HIV/AIDS and the elderly

Public Education and Information Educational Programmes Campaigns Media Releases Workshops Exhibitions Gender Dialogues Development of resource material Summits

Public Education and Information Information Programmes Publications Posters, pamphlets, training manuals Resource Centre Establishment of Resource Centres in Provinces; Archiving Exhibitions- 28413 Information management Website IT support - Policy - Support and maintenance

Legal Services: Complaints 2005/6 Rank of Complaints (top 10 only) % GBV 30% Maintenance 25 % Sexual Harassment 16% Labour 6.3% Tradition, religion and culture 6% Court processes Inheritance property 4.3% Social security 3.1% Access to government services 1.6% Citizenship & Regis. of population 1.1% Total number of complaints 525

Complaints (cont.) Legal interventions: Sidwell Mamitwa / TLPN Shilubane & Others TPD 25411/2002 Omar v Government of the RSA and others CCT 47/04 Submitted 20 gender related complaints to ASASA Also: gender-related cases monitored by the CGE

Outputs: Parliamentary Office Submissions to Parliament Engage in Parliamentary Committees on upcoming bills Consult with civil society and relevant stakeholders

Challenges Dealing with entrenched gender inequality and patriarchy Implementation of legislation and law enforcement by officials – e.g. maintenance complaints Many people (incl. media) do not know the content of the Constitution and have little knowledge of C9s, their work, roles and mandate Amendment of old statutes that violate the Constitution Participation in the National Gender Machinery Reaching out to remote rural areas, lack of programmes for young women, HIV/AIDS Easy flow of information from Dept. of Foreign Affairs to enable CGE to participate in sub-regional, regional and international activities

Challenges (cont.) Lack of access to country reports in time for monitoring Broad mandate, given the scant capacity and resources Challenges emanating from the CGE Act: Measurable outputs required for Commissioners Delays in appointment and replacement of Commissioners Inability to litigate in terms of the CGE act Harmonising CGE Act with PFMA Opportunities to interact directly with Parliament in terms of provisions of the Act

Collaborative Work Government Departments: Justice Dept (Equality Act implementation); Premier’s Discretionary Fund Strengthened relationship with local governments Parliament: Portfolio Committees NGOs and CBO’s: special themes Other Chapter 9s: CSAP, MOU’s, elections National Gender Machinery

International Work Monitoring of international, regional and sub-regional instruments Participation in World Conferences Participation in Gender Fora Also: UN Commission on the Status of Women (Beijing +10) SADC and African Union gender-related processes Bilateral Agreement MOU’s with international organisations Interaction with foreign delegations

Impact Launching and implementing of the 50/50 campaign in local government elections. Increased awareness of gender-based violence brought about by education programmes and legislation Improved maintenance system Developing gender training and resource material for public sensitization on gender Developing a number of gender related policies with government departments, public and private sector Impacting on gender-related law reform, particularly the Children’s Bill in relation to virginity testing and circumcision. Annually we have a number of campaigns on gender sensitization

Achievements Increased public awareness on issues of gender Sensitized government departments towards issues of gender Improved representation of women in decision-making structures Increased gender-sensitivity in the school curricula Participated in including a gender perspective in national, sub-regional, regional and international processes Together with ASASA the CGE, dealt with cases of demeaning advertising which promotes negative stereotypes about women Strengthening civil society through partnerships with CSO’s Public requests for CGE to be utilized as a resource Inclusion of men in gender programmes Increased accessibility through two new provincial offices

Thank you