South African National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Broad Overview

What is the Gender Policy Framework? Outlines South Africa ’ s vision for gender equality How it intends to realise this ideal. Like other generic policy documents, which are transsectoral, it is not meant to be prescriptive for the various sectors of government. It details the overarching principles, which will be integrated by all sectors into their own sectoral policies, practices and programmes.

When was the GPF adopted? The Presidency, proposed that Cabinet adopt the policy framework prepared by the Office on the Status on Women in The policy framework was titled: South Africa’s National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality.

Why is the GPF just a policy?

The Gender Policy Framework assumes that writing a Policy Document that addresses the specific policy needs of each government department presupposes: intimate knowledge of the situation in that department; centralisation of policy development in the OSW which, in turn, requires centralisation of implementation within the OSW.

Such centralisation of policy development would result in the: marginalisation of gender programmes in the line departments thereby defeating the gender mainstreaming principles which move towards the total integration of gender issues within a department.

The National Gender Policy Framework, establishes the national goal, proposes central objectives, defines key indicators for attaining the goal and objectives, identifies expectations of key national structures that are mandated to implement the programme.

While the Gender Policy Framework is not prescriptive, it does set standards and norms for the national programme.

Institutional Framework consultations recommended a national machinery that is multipronged in character Components were designed for the structure of the National Gender Machinery

Monitoring & Evaluation The Gender Policy Framework proposes key approaches to evaluation and monitoring. These indicators serve as key performance indicators, which are helpful in ensuring movement towards gender equality. The Framework also provides guidelines for ongoing evaluation.

The primary indicators found in the present document include among others: Women’s enhanced access to resources for economic development; Women’s earning power and their involvement in the economy; Reduction of women’s vulnerability to social injustice such as poverty, HIV/AIDS and violence; The extent to which women participate in political decision-making; A change in attitude to women and enhanced recognition of the value they add to society Women’s access to professional opportunities.

Resource Allocation the Gender Policy Framework encourages serious consideration and application of the following premises:

The allocation of resources by various executive and legislative structures is crucial to ensuring that the policy on gender equality is implemented; Co-ordination, capacity building, communication, networking and collaboration towards the implementation of the Gender Policy Framework require various types of resources including information technology and personnel;

Regular technical advisory services need to be made available to the national, provincial and local structures for the mainstreaming of gender equality; and Adequate staffing, institutional infrastructure, monitoring and evaluation, disseminating information, maintaining active partnerships and capacity building all require strategic interventions to enable the machinery to work effectively towards the goal of women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The GPF is clear that… Institutional support mechanisms will have to be put in place in order to assist in realising these strategic goals. The need to proceed with proper resourcing of the national machinery is affirmed by the findings of the National Audit.

Conclusion The GPF is a document that defines the country’s vision and states what it plans to do to achieve this vision. It provides the framework by providing broad guidelines. It is directive and prescriptive on minimum standards for the institutional framework, key indicators and national goals.

Conclusion contd… All of these have direct impact for the development of sector specific policies and plans of action. It is a policy framework that is guided by national imperatives. It addresses needs by proposing mechanisms that were articulated by women and men who engaged in the consultative process that resulted in enshrining gender equality into the National Constitution.