Question NW816 to the Minister of Social Development
19 June 2017 - NW816
Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department has engaged with the Office of Women in The Presidency to discuss the roll out of Project Dignity to provide sanitary towels to vulnerable and poor girls; if not, why not; if so, (a) in what ways will her department be involved and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
The Department of Social Development (DSD) in collaboration with the Department of Women (DOW) and other relevant government Departments is involved in the Sanitary ware Programme. The Department has produced the Concept Document on which the Base Document now with DOW is founded.
Coordinated by DOW, Six (6) Work streams were developed where DSD sits in Work stream 1, meant to develop a Policy Framework on the Sanitary ware Programme. In order for the Policy Framework to be meaningful, DSD as the lead on this Work stream has proposed a Policy Framework Structure for members to contribute. DSD has also concretely suggested a 2 – 3 Day uninterrupted Retreat to focus on the development of such a Policy Framework to present as a Draft to the proposed National Consultation Indaba.
A logical Framework has also been developed to guide the process.
The Gender Chief Directorate within DSD continues to sit in the Sanitary Programme under DOW giving constructive input where necessary. Other Programmes within the Department such as Community Development, Families, Victims Empowerment Programme (VEP), Children, and Social Security are expected to support this Programme.