2. South Africa is a signatory of and ratified CEDAW

3. South Africa put Parliamentary Gender machinery in place and

a. To regulate municipal elections; to amend certain laws; and to provide for matters connected therewith including gender sensitivity and the participation of women at all levels of municipal elections as candidates for election to office, as staff, and as voters.

a. Literacy should be included in definitions and should refer to

a.1. the diverse levels of literacy, including illiteracy, amongst voters

b. Language should be included and should refer to

b.1 sign language, braille, graphic illustrations and symbols

b.2 inclusive of other official languages.

c. Media should be included and should refer to

c.1 Diverse and appropriate forms of media to advise voters of different language and literacy ability and to ensure access to

c.1.a. gazetted information

c.1.b. changes and/or additions to such information

c.1.c. notice of intention to change legislation and

c,1.d. invitation to comment on said legislative changes

c.1.e. notice of revote

c.1.f. postponement of voting

c.1.f: relocation of a voting station, mobile voting stations, and all other relevant information; and to the

c.2. Code of conduct for political parties and the public media organisations and institutions

a. Add 5.(3) Should new or altered demarcation of wards (boundaries) place a registered voter in a different ward from that in which the voter originally registered, then the municipality must automatically transfer and advise the voter

a. Add to 12.(1) an employee or other person … and shall ensure a minimum 50% women representation of all staff and at all levels of employment

a. Add to 13. (2) point (d) must comply with the Local Government Municipal Structures Act (1998) with specific reference to a minimum 50% women

candidates on their ward and proportional lists for nominated councillors.

b. Add to 14. (a)(ii) a party list consisting of not less than 50% women

c. Add 14.(c) A party that fails to meet the 50% women candidate requirement will automatically forfeit participation in the election

a. Add to 23. (b) ...taking into account the election in which the ballot paper is to be used, the constituency, and disabled voters.

a. Add to 27.. is to be conducted, with the required deference to gender balance.

b. Apply a. To 29.31.33.35. and in all appointments of staff and officials

a. Add point (c) An institution must be gender sensitive and must have employed

50% women at all levels of employment for at least 2 years prior to the appointment.

a. Add to 37. (1)

(c) suffers from mental deficiency

(d) had been found guilty of a criminal offence during the past 18 months, or is serving a current sentence for such a criminal offence..

a. Add to 39. (1) and (2); ...a number of agents that shall include not less than 50 % women

5. Chapter 4:

a. Add to (41).. to observe an election, and must effectively contribute to the status of women and gender sensitivity to qualify as a fully accredited observer that promotes free and fair elections

Add 41(3) (b) (iv) and subscribe to relevant laws and principals that govern the 1.

1. upliftment of the status of women and

2. gender sensitivity.

a. Add to 43.(3) (c); point (iv) subscribe to the relevant laws and principals that govern

1. upliftment of the status of women and

2. gender sensitivity

a. Add to 1.

(c) promote and affirm the role of women

(d) Ensure gender sensitivity

(e) Ensure geographic, particularly rural and informal settlement, support for a fair and free election

a. Add to 4.(1) (b) Ensure the involvement of women and promote gender sensitivity

a. Add to 6.(d) . and actively seek to place women in decision making positions at all levels of local government activities.

a. Add:8.1.

1. The media must ensure fair representation of facts

2. Promote the status of women

3. Show gender sensitivity

This submission claims validity for its demand that the 50% minimum quota for women at all levels of Local Government be promoted, pursued and implemented, on the fact that South Africa ratified CEDAW and has put in place machinery to enhance the status of women and to promote gender sensitivity.

The National Constitution provides for a non sexist democracy and the government has confirmed its intention to develop women. Local Government is based on inclusivity and the continued exclusion of women at the facet of government that delivers services to the community is unthinkable. South Africa has an inherent and lawful affirmative policy and this policy must be seen to function in relation to women at all levels of governance.

The liberation of women and their inclusion in power structures and decision making has to be actively and consistently facilitated and implemented so as not to deviate from the course South Africa has begun.