Question NW1698 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

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05 December 2019 - NW1698

Profile picture: Mphithi, Mr L

Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the fact that the term of the Interim Steering Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which was tasked to establish a permanent multi-sectoral co-ordinating structure, effectively came to an end in October 2019, (a) will the term of the Interim Steering Committee on GBVF be extended and (b) on what date will the permanent multi-sectoral co-ordinating structure be appointed?

Reply:

(a) 

Following the Presidential Summit a proposal was tabled and adopted on 15 November 2018 to use the Steering Committee that was responsible for organising the Summit, as the core for the Interim Steering Committee.

Initially, the Interim Steering Committee deliverables were supposed to be concluded within six months in line with article 3 of the Declaration amongst other articles. The article purports for a National Strategic Plan to end Gender Based Violence & Femicide (NSP GBVF), and a Multi-Sectoral Structure to serve as a Council. The rationale was three-fold: (1) Continuity; (2) Operational coherence; and (3) Pragmatic sense given the short duration for the structure. Once the task is concluded the committee would be disbanded.

The process of drafting the NSP took longer than anticipated due extensive consultation sessions that were required across all relevant sectors and all 9 provinces. This impacted on the establishment of the Council, as in principle strategy informs structure. An additional responsibility was entrusted on the Interim Steering Committee to oversee the crafting and implementation of the Emergency Response Action Plan (ERAP) to end Gender Based Violence and Femicide. The ERAP was announced by the President on 18 September, and is being implemented over six months between October 2019 and March 2020.

b)

The Cabinet processes are at an advanced stage regarding approval of the NSP and Council. Once the proposed council is endorsed, the nomination process will be embarked upon towards the establishment of a National Council to end Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

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