Commission on Gender Equality; Office on the Status of Women; Gender Summit: briefings
Meeting Summary
A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.
Meeting report
JOINT MONITORING
COMMITTEE ON IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND STATUS OF WOMEN
6 June 2001
COMMISSION ON GENDER EQUALITY; OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN; GENDER SUMMIT:
BRIEFINGS
Chairperson: Ms P
Govender
Documents distributed
Commission on Gender Equality: Media Statement (see Appendix 1)
CGE Programme of Action for Legislation, Monitoring and Advocacy
Gender Summit: Progress Report (see Appendix 2)
Briefing Document on Pre-Summit Provincial Consultations (see Appendix 3)
Women Creating the Future: Anthology of women's writing
Domestic Violence and Maintenance Act poster/pamphlet proposal
Commission on Gender Equality website: http://www.cge.org.za
SUMMARY
The Commission on Gender Equality announced the appointment of its new
commissioners and spoke on its programme of action. The Office on the Status of
Women briefed the committee on the current status of the gender machinery. A
progress report on the National Gender Summit 2001 was given. Louisa Magodi
gave a talk on the 'Women Creating the Future' project
MINUTES
Commission on Gender Equality
CGE chairperson, Ms Joyce Seroke, presented the new team of commissioners
and commented on a sense of renewed determination to deal with critical issues.
Tribute was paid to outgoing commissioners who had started the Commission on
Gender Equality from scratch as the first of its kind in Africa. Two male
members were also welcomed onto the committee. The Commission's Parliamentary
Office outlined its Programme of Action for Legislation, Monitoring and Advocacy
for 2001-2002. The focus was on decentralisation and the consolidation of
partnerships with NGOs and community organisations, HIV/AIDS and violence
against women.
The issue of women caught up in gang violence was raised. Questions were asked
about what real action was being taken to combat violence against women, as
talking about violence did not really constitute action. The issue of land
reform was raised. Related to this was the need to address issues of water and
sanitation of which women bear the brunt, and which the water board does not
address. The CGE responded that violence against women and land reform are
major themes of the Gender Summit. Concerning the water issue an example of a
successful intervention in Kwazulu Natal was given.
The issue of infrastructure and organisation of the CGE was raised. Members
commented on the unavailability of commissioners. Another member asked where
full-time commissioners were appointed and for more detail regarding the
structuring of the CGE so as to address gender issues separately in each
province according to its unique set of problems. Comments were made on the
lack of a permanent commissioner for the Northern Province, the country's
poorest province.
Ms J Seroke responded that the CGE was committed to decentralisation.
Commissioners operate within their own provinces. There are no offices for the
CGE as such since there is no budget for this, however, each commissioner
develops a network with NGOs, community and church organisations to deal with
the issues of the province. Ms Gertrude Fester emphasized that this is still a
transition period and that the CGE is under major budget constraints. Although
its powers have been expanded, there were still gaps. The CGE has the ability
to monitor all government and private institutions, including powers of seizure
and subpoena, which this Committee does not have. The Chairperson, Ms P
Govender, said that cooperation with the committee was required to best use the
powers of the CGE. Ms Fatima Seedat commented on the development of a uniform
complaints strategy to investigate complaints, so as to ensure the CGE's powers
to monitor South African society with respect to gender issues.
A call was made for more information on a policy regarding traditional
leadership.
Ms Seroke emphasised the long term nature of this particular programme of two
years. These issues were being explored in the 'Gender, masculinity, tradition
and culture' programme of the Gender Summit. Ms Seedat explained that work was
being done, for example in the Northern Province to empower women with a voice
in existing power structures, both traditional and legislative. Research was
being done into traditional virginity testing and reforming the Witchcraft
Repression Act.
The Chairperson commented on the need for co-operation between the CGE, the
Committee and the Office on the Status of Women, especially given the fact that
the National Budget has not increased its allocation for gender issues since
the 1999.
Office on the Status of Women presentation
Dr Ellen Kornegay of the Office of the Status of Women spoke on what is
being done to advance the integrated approach, emphasising the complementary
roles of the Office on the Status of Women and the Commission on Gender
Equality, of implementation and monitoring of gender policies respectively.
A member asked for the role of political parties in relation to the Office on
the Status of Women to be defined. Dr. Kornegay responded that the Office was
concerned with the mechanisms already put into place by the political process,
in ensuring implementation achieves an integrated approach to gender issues.
[The Chairperson scheduled a discussion of the national policy framework for
women's empowerment and gender equality for the following week.]
Gender Summit
A Progress Report, a briefing document on Pre-Summit Provincial
Consultations and a Report from the SSC (Summit Steering Committee) were
presented to the committee.
Ms P Govender congratulated the CGE on the Summit's addressing of poverty ,
HIV/AIDS, and land issues in relation to gender. The Chairperson commented that
the focus of the Summit was not only on poverty and women in the survival
sector and on unsustainable donor funding but on how to harness the capital and
energy on a macroeconomic level. Finally it aimed to educate women at the
Summit so that they leave knowing what rights they have under the law.
Ms Joyce Seroke expressed her satisfaction with the Summit program. She
welcomed more input. The CGE, the Committee and the Office on the Status of
Women will elect representatives to work on the Summit Steering Committee. The
Summit is mostly funded by the CGE, and, as yet, has received no funding from
the government.
'Women Creating the Future'
Writing
Louisa Magodi gave a short presentation on this programme which had
involved workshops training women in the art of writing as an opportunity to
document their own experiences in the first person. It was a year-long process
at the end of which the women's stories were gathered and published as an
anthology. Copies of the anthology entitled 'Women Creating the Future' were
handed out.
Women's Day
A golf project has been planned, including BMW sponsored training and
membership for women in Parliament. Ms Magodi explained that this is part of
the demystification of another sphere of white male domination, in hope of
'teaching an old game new tricks'.
Members commented that they did not see the benefit of such exercises to the
women themselves. How did they profit financially, or practically? Ms Sally
Nqodi asked for clarity on what was being done to inform women of their rights
and the transfer of skills to achieve economic empowerment. Ms Magodi responded
that it was true these women had only produced stories of their traumas and
negative experiences. She said there had been a lot of backlash. She said it
was necessary to change the status of women from the negative, as victims, to
the positive, as creators. There had been no profit involved, in fact they had
lost money. A skills transfer programme has been set up in rural areas. It
trains groups of ten women as trainers who then return to transfer these skills
to other women in their areas.
The Chairperson congratulated the initiative on its work.
A poster/pamphlet proposal regarding the Domestic Violence and the Maintenance
Act was handed to members, to be read in their own time. Input was requested
from members. The meeting was adjourned.
Appendix 1:
Commission on Gender Equality: media release
New Commissioners on board
On behalf of every one at the Commission on Gender Equality, I would like
to congratulate the new Commissioners who are joining the CGE as of May 2001.
The high calibre and collective experiences of the new Commissioners will
hopefully add a new sense of direction, action, speed and determination to deal
with critical issues pertaining to the mandate of the Commission. The nation
has been eagerly waiting for the new team to join and start making the required
impact on national issues of importance.
Names and short biographical details of new Commissioners:
Full-time Commissioners
Commissioner Gertrude Fester has been involved in both national liberation
activities and gender issues since the 1980's. Her involvement in gender issues
is diverse including undertaking academic studies in the Netherlands. Upon her
return to the country, she continued her involvement with gender issues in some
cases initiating new women's projects. She is also a former educator in
dramatic arts.
Commissioner Bafana Khumalo is a theologian with a comprehensive
combination of professional and activist experiences, including participation
in peace accords during the days of conflicts; project management; and
authorship of many publications including some on HIV/AIDS.
Commissioner Sheila Meintjes is a renowned academic locally and abroad,
whose work extends beyond university walls. She has conducted several research
projects, the results of which informed gender developments in our country. In
addition to lecturing, she has done a lot of gender-related work as well as
commentary in electronic and print media on areas such as gender, policy and
the state, gender and violence and gender and politics.
Commissioner Beatrice Ngcobo (re-appointed) has been a Commissioner for the
whole the last term. She brought with her vast experience in promoting the
rights of both women and people with disabilities. Her professional background
includes training as a nurse and midwife. She later moved to academic work in
social sciences. Some of her work with the CGE has included issues around
HIV/AIDS and virginity testing.
Commissioner Nombulelo Siqwana-Ndulo has a multifaceted academic background
that cuts across sociology, education and gender and has written extensively on
all these areas both in South Africa and Zambia. She has extensive research
knowledge and experience in various aspects of women living in rural areas.
6. Commissioner Manana Tlake (re-appointed) combines gender work with her
health professional background. Before joining the CGE during its first term,
Manana was a lecturer in the Nursing Department of the University of Qwa Qwa.
She has been instrumental in setting up an office for the CGE in Free State.
Part-time commissioners:
Commissioner Sophia Williams-de Bruyn is a veteran activist in both national
and gender issues. As a young activist she was one of the four leaders of the
march to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 - the only one still alive. She
was involved in major campaigns in the 50's such as mobilising for the Congress
of the People and in trade unionism of the time. She lived in exile between
1963 and 1990 during which time she held various posts in the liberation
movement including being seconded to lecture in the UN Institute of Namibia.
Since her return she has participated in major events especially in the build
up to the 1st national democratic elections.
Commissioner Thabisa Dumisa is a senior educator in KwaZulu-Natal. The
Commissioner is currently a Provincial Co-ordinator for Transformation and
Gender Equity in the Department of Education and Culture. This post enabled him
to make a lot of in-roads into gender inequity.
Commissioner Themba Kgasi is a gender activist who has participated in
various platforms fighting battles against gender inequality. Her background is
entrenched in the labour movement, where she has been a long serving member and
staffer at COSATU.
Commissioner Rashida Manjoo is a women's rights activist and lawyer by
profession. She has been involved in the violence against women sector for many
years and is a former member of the SALC project committee on domestic
violence. She is presently a research associate at Law, Race and Gender Unit (a
judicial education project) at the University of Cape Town. She is also
involved with the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice on the International
Criminal Court.
Commissioner Teboho Maitse has a long history in women's activities and
issues of national liberation. Teboho has extensive knowledge of gender issues
and inter personal relations and has done extensive work on issues pertaining
to violence against women both in Britain and South Africa. She worked as a
lecturer in Women's Studies at the University of Bradford where she taught
research methods and gender.
CGE Programmes, projects and activities
The Commission has a long list of programmes, projects and activities that
will demand the full attention of Commissioners. Just a few of these below:
National Gender Summit;
Human Resource Development Strategy;
Internal Audits:
External Audits;
National Curriculum Development (National Education);
Traditional Institutions;
Gender in the workplace;
Gender and the courts;
Gender projects in Black Management Forum;
Re-equipment of the CGE Information Technology;
Domestic Violence & Violence Against Women;
Social Security;
Gender and Religion;
Gender dialogues;
CGE Book Project;
HIV/AIDS;
Sex work and prostitution;
Revision of PPRR and internal policies; and
Many others.
The CGE staff welcome our Commissioners on board and look forward to them
enhancing the work of the Commission in the next five years.
Commissioner Welcoming Committee (CWC)
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Commissioner Welcoming
Committee (Thandi Mngoma, Doreen Mazibuko-Moyo, Eva Moloko, Nontobeko Yose,
Nontobeko Mofokeng, Vivian Bilabateho, Ntombenhle Mbhele, Letty Nxumalo,
Nomfundo Luphondwana). The Committee has been in touch with every new
Commissioner and are busy finalising preparations for the induction week.
Details of the induction week will be announced once we have confirmation
of availability from all Commissioners. Staff and stakeholders are requested to
avail themselves for welcoming our Commissioners during the weeks starting
21/5, 28/5 or 4/6.
Zith Mahaye
Chief Executive Officer
Appendix 2:
GENDER SUMMIT: PROGRESS REPORT PREPARED FOR PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
MEETING OF 06 JUNE 2001
INTRODUCTION
Following the session on the Gender Summit Committee on 23 May 2001.
The Parliamentary Committee was formally briefed on the Gender Summit at the
meeting of the 23 May 2001. Preceding this, all communication to the Committee
was channelled through the Committee Chairperson.
The following is an update on preparations noting issues raised by the
Committee:
PROVINCIAL CONSULTATIONS
The "Briefing Document" on provincial consultations has since been
updated. It now also includes abstract or brief context on each of the
sub-themes.
While the consultations are underway this does not prevent Committee Members
from making further suggestions and input. Due to time constraints, it is
important that concrete suggestions/plans, rather than broad ideas are made.
Summit Steering Committee (SSC) members will be participating in all the
consultations, as indicated. It would be preferable members of this Committee
could participate in some manner in the consultations.
SUMMIT WEBSITE
The Gender Summit Website will go live as at 01 June 2001. For further
information on the Summit, visit www.womensnet.org.za/gendersummit
The Gender Summit Website is hosted by Women's Net, a joint project of SANGONeT
and the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE).
SUMMIT BUDGET
The Gender Summit office is housed by the CGE. The Commission is therefore
bearing operational and human resource costs, and has further pledged R1
million towards the Summit. For the Summit to succeed, at least R2, 7 million
needs to be raised.
Sadly, no money has yet been availed by Government to the Summit. Furthermore
partner structures within the Gender Machinery are still to concretely pledge
any resources towards the Summit to date.
Perhaps Committee members could explore what role they could play to assist
with fundraising for the Summit.
SSC MINUTES
The recent SSC meeting was held on 29 May 2001. Minutes of this session will be
availed to this Committee, when they are ready for distribution on the week of
04 June 2001.
In the interim a short-term activity list was distributed to all SSC members
(including the Secretary of this Committee, following recommendation made at
the last meeting).
PROJECT MANAGER'S REPORT
The Project Manager's Report to the SSC of 29 May 2001, also provides further
information on preparations for the Summit.
Appendix 3:
BRIEFING DOCUMENT on PRE-SUMMIT PROVINCIAL CONSULTATIONS
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
WHY A NATIONAL GENDER SUMMIT
South Africa needs to take stock of how far it has come as a nation in
implementing the ideals espoused in the constitution and the various
international conventions that it has ratified of advancing and promoting
gender equality. This moment also presents a chance for the national Gender
Machinery to review and assess how far it and other structures that are
mandated to promote and protect gender equality have come, to consolidate their
learnings and together chart out a new vision for the millennium. The national
Gender Summit therefore presents South Africa with an opportunity to carve a
revised national gender programme that will ensure a rapid advancement of women
and the effective attainment of gender equality.
OBJECTIVES OF THE GENDER SUMMIT
Critically assess the progress that South Africa has made in addressing the
12 critical areas of concern as defined in the Beijing Platform for Action as
well as the African Charter for Effective Equality.
Identify major gaps and new/emerging issues that need to be addressed, and develop
appropriate strategies.
Examine the impact and effectiveness of South Africa's national Gender
Machinery.
Examine efforts and challenges in various sectors at achieving the goal of
gender equality, in particular those in/by: the private sector, government, the
women's movement, civil society in general, community- based initiatives and
the donor community.
To share sub-regional (SADC), and regional (African), perspectives on
strategies to achieve the goal of gender equality.
EXPECTED SUMMIT OUTCOMES
A report on the Summit proceedings to highlight the achievements and
emerging challenges in implementing gender equality in South Africa.
An overview of who the key stakeholders and partners are, and their analysis of
critical issues.
Some pointers for the national Gender Machinery on new strategic directions to
take.
Galvanisation of the women's and broad gender equality movement around the goal
of gender equality.
Putting gender equality (back), on the national (and Regional) agenda.
SUMMIT THEME & SUB-THEMES
The Gender Summit theme is Realising Gender Equality: Justice, Peace and
Poverty Eradication.
The following are the sub-themes, all fundamental underlined by the key
principles of poverty eradication, access to justice and the intersection of race,
gender and socio-economic status as well as the rural-urban divide, in the
context of the theme:
Land Reform
Since the inception of the new government there has been progress made in
many spheres. We have seen laws put in place to empower every citizen of South
Africa. This was to empower and to improve their status as citizens of the
country. Amongst many of the laws that have been put forward by government are
laws around land reform. These laws allow individuals and communities to
access, control, sand security of tenure over land that they have acquired. The
main aims of these laws were to make sure that individuals are equally
protected by the law. Even though that is the case, there is still gender
discrimination when it comes to land allocation. For a majority of women access
land is still a dream. This happens in rural areas where single women cannot
get land or if she does, it is still registered under her first born son. They
also have to pay high prices in order to access land. Which is money that men
are not required to pay. This is because of traditional practices that are
still dominant in rural areas.
There is also a problem of access to information in rural areas. Even though
there are laws that protect people with regard to land, many of them are still
not known by those meant to benefit from them. They still think that past laws
and traditional laws are legitimate laws that apply to their daily lives. This
shows that there is a gap that exists between laws and policies made and
implementation of those policies and laws. The sound policies and laws that
have been made do not seem to cater for rural women. What has been highlighted
also show that there is lack of workable programs and implementation processes.
Laws have been written but there is no monitoring on how far they reach people.
The sub-theme of land reform, will explore, among others, the following:
Access, security of tenure and control
Discriminatory traditional practices
Information dissemination and education
Equal protection of the law
Discrimination Against Learners
Learners in schools experience discrimination of different types. They are
often discriminated against because they are pregnant; their HIV status, sexual
orientation and in career development. These discriminatory practices continue
despite the fact that there are different laws that have been put in place to
protect the rights of learners and to ensure that they do not experience any
form of discrimination. Sec (10) of the Bill of Rights states that everyone has
inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.
Sec 28 (1) further states that every child has the right to be protected from
maltreatment, neglect, abuse or denigration.
(c) To basic nutrition, shelter, basic health-care services and social
services.
(f) Not required or permitted to perform work or provide services that place at
risk the child's well being, education, physical or mental, health or
spiritual, moral or social development.
Other laws protecting the rights of learners include the SA Schools Act.
Despite all these laws, the Human Rights Watch (2001) report that nearly two
thirds of the children who are denied the right to education are female even
though the international community has identified girls' education as critical
priority. They identified one of the obstacles for girls to access education as
the level of insecurity in their school premises. The school environment was
identified in the report as a major problem that has not received sufficient
scrutiny. The report further states that on a daily basis in schools and
educational institutions across the nation, South African girls of every race
and economic class encounter sexual violence and harassment that impedes their
realisation of the right to education.
There has been reports of teenage girls who experience different types of
discrimination and denied the right to education because they are pregnant.
This is done by teachers who deny pregnant girls access or permission to carry
on their education in their schools. The reasons being that they will bring the
school to disrepute. Those who do go to school are often isolated and secluded
from other school children. This seclusion and exclusion goes with being called
names by school authorities. In some schools, especially in rural areas girls
who have children or are pregnant are put in one classroom and labeled as
'promiscuous women'.
School going children who are HIV positive are often denied the right to
education by the teachers, school governing bodies and other parents with
children in the same school. Those who attend school often have to face up to
an education system that does not have human and material resources necessary
to offer support to them.
This sub-theme will explore among others:
Discrimination against pregnant learners
Sexual abuse and sexual violence in educational institutions
HIV/AIDS
Enabling environment for career development of girl learners in science and
technology field
Gender and HIV/AIDS
AIDS/HIV is a health, social and economic crisis facing the whole world.
Its implications do not only end with the physiological functioning of a human
body. Just like the problems it causes on the functioning of the human body, it
creates disruptions to the social structure and functioning of human beings.
Both men and women can get infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. But the effects to
the sexes are different. HIV/AIDS must be combated from a gender perspective,
i.e. in a context of the existing power relations between men and women as well
as Blacks and whites in our society. Until HIV/AIDS is addressed from gender
perspective, it will continue to have a disproportionate effect on women.
A gendered and integrated approach to HIV/AIDS will include a focus on the
following:
Treatment: - the debate about treatment is a complex one. The ongoing dialogue
is commendable, but it should not be dominated by scientists. The voices of the
people, in particular women, who were participants in various
"trials", must be heard. It would be interesting to hear, for
example, how participants in the Hlabisa trials (in KwaZulu Natal) experienced
the treatment.
Also of great concern is that the manner in which messages on treatment are
currently being transmitted to the public. These may potentially create
unintended expectations for ordinary people. Most importantly, the focus on
treatment should not overshadow the significance of prevention and education
Care and CareGivers: - care for HIV/AIDS patients requires both social and
institutional support. Most caregivers are women; particularly the elderly as
HIV/AIDS has impacted mainly on the younger generation.
There is a tendency is to talk as if care-giving is not taking place. We need
to be learning from current experiences of care-givers to ensure that both men
and women share this function.
Furthermore, care-givers need to be emotionally, socially and financially
supported. This is thus a call to all government departments, organs civil
society and donors to work together to develop an appropriate and integrated
institutional framework and plan.
Prevention and Education: the biggest challenge on prevention and education is
filtering appropriate messages behind closed doors and ensuring they actually
translate into behaviour changes. It should be remembered that currently, even
in the bedroom, the majority of women do not have control or decision making on
the use of preventative measures.
The fact that protective measures are only available for men (in the form of
condoms) further disempowers women to make decisions about their sexual
activities.
In the short term, alternative protective means needs to be availed for women.
Some evaluation on interventions in this regard to date needs to be done, so
that appropriate strategies can be further developed and implemented.
In discussing this sub-theme, participants need to consider, among others, the
following:
Health, welfare and support services
Employment "testing" particularly in relation to marginalised
employees such as domestic workers
Equal protection of the law
Access to public benefits
Gender, Tradition and Culture
There have been discussion papers and a Bill on the issue of traditional
leadership and its institutions. The discussion is based on whether traditional
institutions and traditional courts can be transformed to achieve gender
equality. Related to this is the challenge of addressing gender equality within
the institution of traditional leadership in line with the constitutional
emphasis on the principle of non-discrimination.
It needs to be understood that terms like culture, custom and tradition mean
practices that are transmitted from one generation to the other through
socialization. During this time they change and adapt themselves as the context
changes. The word culture is often used to justify some of the practices and
sometimes 'masks' e.g. some of the existing or emerging inequalities on which;
in different ways; society is based and which are explicit in the concept of
social organisation.
The Promotion of Equality and the Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act was
put into place to remedy the discriminatory experiences of previously
disadvantaged groups; especially women. The promulgation of the Act was
influenced by political changes that have taken place in the country. The fact
that there are discriminatory cultural practices in existence in our society
means that there challenges that should be addressed through the application of
the Act.
The introduction of equality measures within the institution of traditional leadership
should not be seen as an imposition, a way of undermining the cultural values
on which it is based or as melting down cultural practices. It should be seen
as logical cultural change that is necessary for the development and
advancement of cultural practices which are not static, but dynamic practices
that will be in harmony with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
If we need to restore cultural values, the question that needs to be asked is
which and whose of those cultural values are we protecting? Experience has
shown that cultural values prevalent and protected so far are those that favour
men and discriminate against women. We also need to be careful of how words
like tradition or culture are used as they are often used to justify various
forms of discrimination. Tradition often compounds the discrimination against
women in different communities.
The sub-theme will thus focus on, among others:
Discriminatory practices in traditional institutions
Discriminatory cultural practices
Gender and Religion
Religion is one of the influential organs of civil society. Only a few
religious institutions have embraced transformation. The majority of religious
institutions are controlled by men. There is a lot of patriarchy within
religious institutions, further entrenched by male domination in these
institutions. Women are the silent majority in all religious institutions.
Gendered roles within religious institutions have made women subordinate to
their male counter parts.
Religious institutions are public institutions that are seemed and perceived as
men's fortes. They give men a platform and limit the role of women to private
activities, which reinforce existing barriers in terms of participation of
women in religious institutions. The question that needs to be asked is whether
religious institutions exist outside the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The silence regarding religious institutions and their gender-based
discrimination sends a message that anything existing within religious boundaries
is not underpinned by the values of democracy; equality for all and advancement
of a human rights culture, as contained in our Constitution.
Our Constitution promotes freedom of religion, belief and opinion. This does
not mean that any discriminatory practices should be tolerated nor does it
justify discriminatory practices just because they are religious. This means
that people can practice their religion to illustrate their distinctiveness and
to celebrate their diversity as a people. Distinction need to be made between
religious practices that are protected by The Constitution and those that
people use for their own benefit to discriminate against women, the poor,
homosexuals, or people of other races.
Gender and the Economy
Of the total population of South Africa 42% of Africans are unemployed as
compared to 4.6% of whites. When these statistics are broken down according to
gender and race 23% of black males are unemployed compared to 3,1% of white
males. On the other hand 31,5% of black males are employed as compared to 63%
of white males. 52,4% of black women are unemployed as compared to 5.1% of
white women.
With that being the case African men make the majority of the unskilled labour
with a percentage of 23,3 as compared to3, 9% of white males. On the other hand
56,7% of African women are in unskilled labour as compared to 3% of white
women.
These statistics show high levels of racial and gender discrepancies in
employment practices. They reflect a need to address the problem of skill
shortages among black people with black women given preference. This also shows
that unemployment rate is particularly high among African women.
These statistics also show the level of income between white and black people;
and between men and women. 47,5% of employed African women earn R500.00 or less
compared to 65% of white men who earn more than R3000.00 per month.
The level of earnings, employment and skills show that the majority of black
women are faced with severe poverty as compared to white women. That has
negative implications for black women. For instance, in the business sector
white women are highly likely to get access to finance or credit where as a
relatively large proportion of Africa women cannot access finances in the
formal economic sector. Earnings of black women together with their general low
financial status cannot afford them credibility to be financed.
Employment and earning differences are not the only factors that leads to black
(women) not to have access to finances. Apartheid policies of settlement
planning for black people still have an effect on service provision. Black
families are situated far from major economic sectors of the country. Black men
and women were put in reserves that do not have any means of economic
generation.
Black women's financial status led them to be involved in 'informal economic
sector' which until now does not have full legal or legislative and financial
protection. They operate in a vacuum. Those that are involved in this sector do
not have formal training or skills to run their business.
This sub-theme will explore, among others, the informal/ survivalist sector a,
focusing on:
Access to finance
Education and information dissemination
Equal protection of the law
HIV/AIDS
Unemployment.
PURPOSE OF PROVINCIAL CONSULTATIONS
The purpose of the proposed pre-summit provincial consultations include:
To provide a platform for stakeholders who would otherwise not be able to
participate in the actual Summit to engage on gender equality, in relation to
the sub-themes.
To target the voices specifically of communities in all provinces, in
particular women and the youth.
To utilise existing infrastructure, institutions and resources in conducting
the consultations
The outcome of the consultations will feed into the Gender Summit as background
materials and will further be utilised in post-Summit strategy implementation.
EXPECTED OUTCOME OF PROVINCIAL CONSULTATIONS
Outline of gender-based discriminatory practices per identified sub-theme
Outline of systemic constraints per sub-theme
Proposed solutions to the above
Identify two representatives per sub-theme to be resource persons for Summit
breakaway groups
CALENDER OF CONSULTATIONS
PROVINCE |
SUB-THEME |
CONSULTATION |
CONTACT PERSONS |
Northern Province |
Tradition and Land Reform |
18 May 2001 |
Samantha Hargreaves,
National Land Committee |
North West |
Tradition |
01 June 2001 |
Doreen Mazibuko-Moyo, CGE tel (011) 403 7182 |
Eastern Cape |
Discrimination Against Learners |
12 June 2001 |
Moseki Kgogome, CGE tel
(011) 403 7182 AND |
Mpumalanga |
Gender and HIV/AIDS |
26 June 2001 |
Futhi Zikalala, CGE KZN tel (031) 305 2105 |
Kwa-Zulu-Natal |
Gender and HIV/AIDS |
19 June 2001 |
Futhi Zikalala, CGE KZN tel (031) 305 2105 |
Western Cape |
Gender and the Economy |
17 June 2001 |
Michelle Festus, CGE WC tel (021) 426 4080 |
Free State |
Land Reform |
19 June 2001 |
Debbie Lesshope, CGE FS tel (051) 430 9348/ 8312 |
Northern Cape |
Discrimination Against Learners |
21 June 2001 |
Moseki Kgogome, CGE tel (011) 403 7182 |
Gauteng Province |
Gender and the Economy |
04 July 2001 |
Doreen Mazibuko-Moyo, CGE
tel (011) 403 7182 AND |
For any enquiries on the Gender Summit, please contact:
The Project Manager: Gender Summit 2001
Tel (011) 403 7182
Cell: 082 446 4339
Email: nomfundo¶ cge.org.za
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