ATC200717: Report of the Portfolio Committee On Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities on the Adjusted Annual Performance Plan of The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, National Youth Development Agency and the Commission for Gender Equality for Financial Year 2020/2021 Dated 17 July 2020

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON THE ADJUSTED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE COMMISSION FOR GENDER EQUALITY FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2020/2021 DATED 17 JULY 2020.

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, having considered the adjusted Annual Performance Plan and Budget of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, National Youth Development Agency and the Commission for Gender Equality for financial year 2020/ 2020/21 on 8, 9 and 15 July 2020 respectively, reports as follows:

Introduction

As per the Announcement, Tablings and Committees (ATC) ofJuly 2020, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the National Youth Development Agency and the Commission for Gender Equality,tabled their adjusted Annual Performance Plans for 2020/21(Budget Vote 20)

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in performing its constitutional oversight mandate, engaged with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (hereafter referred to as the Department), the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on their respective adjustedAnnual Performance Plans for 2020/2021as per the aforementioned dates. This report considers all matters pertaining to the Department, and thereafter the CGE and NYDA insofar as the tabled documents are concerned.

Mandate and strategic objectives of the Department

The mandate of the Department is to provide strategic leadership, coordination and oversight to government departments and the country in mainstreaming empowerment programmes on women, youth and persons with disabilities. It maintains that its strategic posture is not as a service delivery institution but rather engaged in the advocacy and mainstreaming, institutional

support and capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation of considerations related to the equality and empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities.According to the Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) for 2020, the Department’s purpose is tolead, coordinate and oversee the transformation agenda for the socioeconomic empowerment, rights and equaltreatment of women, youth and persons with disabilities.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

The Department indicated that:

The overall mandate of the Department remains largely unchanged. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and government’s response to the pandemic has:

Placed additional demands on the Department, particularly in relation to forming an integral component of the development of government’s overall response and interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on women, youth and persons with disabilities
Prevented or constrained certain activities which the Department had planned, e.g. mass mobilisation, international travel etc.
Provided potential new vantage points and opened up opportunities for innovative approaches to advance women’s empowerment, youth development and disability rights.

ANALYSIS OF THE REVISED BUDGET ON EACH PROGRAM

According to the National Treasury 2020 Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) released in February 2020, the Department under Vote 20, received an annual appropriation of R778.5 million. However, it must be noted that the Department facilitates transfer payments to two entities, namely the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). During the 2020/21 financial year, the Department was expected to transfer R89.9 million to the CGE and R478.7 million to the NYDA. This amounts to R568.8 million. This means that the Department would be left with an actual operating budget of approximately R210 million to undertake its programmes and meet its targets for 2020/21.

The Adjustments Appropriation Bill [B-10 of 2020] indicates a budget revision/ decrease of R133 253 million to the Department’s overall appropriation for 2020/21 of R778.5 million. R107.3 million of the proposed revision is related to the budgets of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). This results in an overall revised allocation of R645.2 million.

When removing the CGE and NYDA transfers the Department had an operating budget of approximately R210 million. A proposed R25.9 million will be taken from the Department’s operating budget of R210 million, leaving it with just over R180 million to meet its targets for the 2020/21 financial year. Money has primarily been reprioritised from the goods and services budget.

The Supplementary Budget Review notes that “the restrictions on economic activity have reduced goods and services and capital spending. Funds have been reprioritised for procurement of ICT equipment to enable officials to work remotely.”

The revised or reallocated budget amount is reported as R27.228 million by the Department in their presentation to the Committee. The Administration programme remains unaffected in terms of budget allocations.

The Department notes that reprioritisation has been made in the following areas:

Activities directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including venues and facilities; catering; domestic and international travel, subsistence and accommodation;
Reduction in the use of external service providers for technical expertise
Increases in provision for tools of the trade to enable officials to work from home, strengthening ICT systems, including video conferencing etc.

Programme 1	Original budget	Reprioritised budget	New revised budget
Administration	R93.3 million	unchanged	R 93.3 million
Social Transformation and Economic Empowerment	R34.9 million	R9.4m	R25.5 million
Policy Coordination and Knowledge Management	R49.2 million	R11.1m	R38.0 million
Rights of Persons with Disabilities	R19.9 million	R5.2m	R14.6 million
National Youth Development	R12.7 million	R1.3m	R11.3 million
Total	R210 million	R27 million	R182.7 million

The Department further notes that its activities relating to community awareness, outreach and mobilisation are constrained. While it is able to digitise some of its information and have virtual engagements, communities that lack access to digital technology and data, as well as those in remote and poorer areas, will be difficult to reach while the pandemic rages on and physical contact with communities remains a challenge.

Changes to targets

The Department has proposed changes/amendments to some targets as well as a delay of the implementation of others. New targets have also been introduced for some programmes.

Programme 1: Administration

Targets as per the APP (7 targets)	Targets as per presentation (9 targets)	Comments by the Department
Unqualified audit opinion on Predetermined Objectives and compliance matters	Unqualified audit opinion on Predetermined Objectives and compliance matters
Percentage of invoices paid within 30 days	Percentage of invoices paid within 30 days
Unqualified audit opinion on annual financial statements	Unqualified audit opinion on annual financial statements
Maintain a vacancy rate of less than 10% annually	Maintain a vacancy rate of less than 10% annually
Human Resource Plan developed	Human Resource Plan developed	Anticipated delays
Produced draft WEGE Bill	Produced draft WEGE Bill	Tabling of bill to take place in 2021/22 due to high volume of legislation for consideration
Approved Master Information Technology Strategy and Plan	Four quarterly progress reports on the planned 95% availability of ICT system produced
	Four progress reports on the implementation of business systems plan produced
	100% of all disciplinary cases resolved internally within 90 days of the cases being initiated

Programme 2: Social Transformation and Economic Empowerment

Targets as per the APP (6 targets)	Targets as per presentation (10 targets)	Comments by the Department
4 interventions to support economic empowerment and participation of WYPD implemented	Number of interventions to support economic empowerment and participation of WYPD implemented	Interventions will be adapted to use remote or virtual means
4 progress reports from provinces implementing the sanitary dignity implementation framework produced	% of indigent women and girls in quintiles 1,2,3, schools, farm schools, rural schools and special schools receiving sanitary towels
One national strategic plan (NSP) on GBVF approved	Comprehensive National GBVF Prevention Strategy developed and approved
National Council on GBVF established	NCGBVF Established
One annual progress report developed on public sector institutions, private sector and civil society organisations monitored and evaluated on the implementation of the NSP	Provincial Rapid Response teams established
National Gender Machinery Framework approved by the DG by submission to Cabinet	NGM Coordination Framework approved
	Bi-annual Reports on GBVF NSP implementation
	GBVF-NSP 2020-24 priorities integrated into APPs all relevant national departments
	NGM Coordination and Accountability Forum Bi-Annual Meetings
	GBVF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System Developed and approved

Programme 3: Policy Coordination and Knowledge Management

Targets as per the APP (10 targets)	Targets as per presentation (8 targets)	Comments by the Department
Integrated knowledge hub model approved		Target to be removed - this target was dependent on expert consultants and the budgetary allocation has been removed as part of the budget cuts.
One report on Government Priorities Produced	One report on Government Priorities Produced
2 periodic reports on international commitments produced	2 periodic reports on international commitments produced
10 national government strategic plans analysed	10 national government strategic plans analysed
1 annual performance monitoring report produced	1 annual performance monitoring report produced
1 evaluation inception report on empowerment of women produced.	1 evaluation inception report on empowerment of women produced.	Shifting the target on the draft evaluation report to “development of inception report”. The evaluation will be undertaken over two financial years. This is due to budget cuts
12 stakeholder engagements on the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities conducted	12 stakeholder engagements on the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities conducted	Stakeholder engagements are conducted through virtual means and travel allocations have been reprioritised
One partnership and collaboration established	One partnership and collaboration established
5 multilateral and bilateral engagements on women, youth and persons with disabilities	5 multilateral and bilateral engagements on women, youth and persons with disabilities
4 community mobilisation initiatives coordinated		This target was removed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, the budget has been reprioritised as part of the budget cuts.

Programme 4: Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Targets as per the APP (5 targets)	Targets as per presentation (4 targets)	Comments by the Department
Legislative report for the development of Disability Rights Bill produced	Legislative report for the development of Disability Rights Bill produced
Frameworks on Disability Rights Awareness campaigns, as well as Framework on Self-Representation by Persons with Disabilities released for public comment	Frameworks on Disability Rights Awareness campaigns, as well as Framework on Self-Representation by Persons with Disabilities released for public comment.
One status report on Disability Inclusion in Departmental Strategic Plans and APPs for 2021-2024 developed	One status report on Disability Inclusion in Departmental Strategic Plans and APPs for 2021-2024 developed
One annual performance monitoring report on inclusion of persons with disabilities produced	One annual performance monitoring report on inclusion of persons with disabilities produced
Disability inclusion embedded in government-wide institutional arrangements / National disability right machinery strengthened		Proposes the removal of the target on National Disability Rights Machinery Strengthened due to the reprioritization of the budget

Programme 5: National Youth Development

Targets as per the APP (5 targets)	Targets as per presentation (7 targets)	Comments by the Department
National Youth Policy reviewed, consulted and submitted for approval	National Youth Policy reviewed, consulted and submitted for approval
4 National Youth Policy Implementation reports produced	4 NYP Implementation reports produced
Draft NYDA Amendment Bill refined	Draft NYDA Amendment Bill refined
4 NYDA monitoring reports produced	4 NYDA monitoring reports produced
4 youth machineries convened	4 youth machineries convened
	Shareholder Performance Agreement between DWYPD and NYDA developed and signed	New target
	National Youth Machinery Framework developed and consulted	New target

NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

3.1Mandate of the NYDA

The mandate of the NYDA is to create and promote coordination in youth development matters. The agency derives its mandate from legislative frameworks such as the NYDA Act (54 of 2008), the National Youth Policy (2009-2014) and the draft Integrated Youth Development Strategy as adopted by the Youth Convention of 2006.

3.2 Implications of COVID-19 on mandate of the NYDA

The NYDA indicated that:

The NYDA business model is focused on face-to-face training, generally in groups of 25 young people. They further indicated that although they have shifted to online learning, the costs of data remain high in South Africa and many young peopleprefer face-to-face training. They have reducedthe training groups to ten young people to maintain social distancing criteria.
Pivot its youth entrepreneurship model from providing new funding for ideation / startup businesses towards providing relief for existing youth businesses.
Providing support to young people to claim UIF and special Covid-19 relief grant.
High-risk employees work from home while they implement a rotational work schedule at all their offices. (50% capacity)
Outreach model has also been affected as no large gatherings are permitted.
Employees have tools of trade to work from home and continue to be available online if not in person to young people. Website is zero-rated and call center is toll free.
Allocated a seat on economic work stream of Natjoints, to support initiatives for youth development.
Implementing the 1000 businesses in 100 days campaign which will complete the 1000 businesses by 12 August.

3.3ANALYSIS OF THE REVISED BUDGET ON EACH PROGRAM

The NYDA indicated the following with regards to the revised budget implication on overall allocations:

Description	Budget allocation	Budget adjustment	Revised allocation
DWYP-transfer payment	R478 700 000	R97 000 000	R381 700 000
Interest income	R9 002 000	R3 000 000	R6 000 000
Donor funding income	R R57 300 000	R14 000 000	R43 300 000
TOTAL	R545 002 000	R114 000 000	R431 000 00

Key Participation Area	Budget allocation for 2020/2021	Budget adjustments	Revised budget allocation for 2020/2021
Economic Participation (Program 2)	R99 496 349	R8 430 402	R91 065 947
JOBS (Program 2)	R48 526 918	R16 889 200	R31 637 718
National Youth Service (Program 3)	R52 618 800	R28 150 848	R24 467 851
Universal access to opportunities (Program 2)	R49 417 522	R11 105 712	R38 311 810
Research and Policy (Program 4)	R9 833 000	R2 230 695	R7 602 305
Administration (Program 1)	R85 437 977	R32 193 402	R53 244 575
Employee costs	R199 635 434	R15 000 000	R184 635 434
Total	R545 002 000	R114 000 360	R431 000 000

In terms of the revised budget for service delivery, the NYDA indicated the following:

Programme 1

OOutcome	Output indicator	2020/21 target	Revised 2020/2021 target
An efficient and effective Agency characterized by good corporate governance and ethical leadership (New)	Value of funds sourced from the public and private sectors to support the youth development programmes.	R100 million	R60 million
	Number of SETA partnerships established	8 SETA partnership established	4 SETA partnership established
	Number of partnerships signed with technology companies	2 Partnerships signed with technology companies	2 Partnerships signed with technology companies
	Implemented an Annual Workplace Skills Plan	Implemented an Annual Workplace Skills Plan

Programme 2

Outcome	Output indicator	2020/21 target	Revised 2020/2021 target
Increased access to socio-economic opportunities, viable business opportunities and support for young people to participate in the economy.	Number of youth owned enterprises supported with financial interventions	1100	1500
	Number of youth supported with Business Consultancy Services	2000	2000
	Number of youth supported with non-financial business development interventions	10000	5540
	Number of jobs created and sustained through supporting entrepreneurs and enterprises.	5000	5000
	Number of jobs facilitated through placements in Job opportunities.	5000	3500
Increased number of young people entering the job market trained	Number of young people capacitated with skills to enter the job market	15000	5000
	Number of young people capacitated with skills to participate in the economy	20 000	5000

Programme 3

Outcome

Output indicator

2020/21 target

Revised 2020/2021 target

To coordinate the implementation of NYS across all sectors of society

Implement the NYS Communications and Marketing Strategy

Number of National Youth Service projects registered

100

Number of partnerships coordinated to deliver on NYS programmes

Presidential Youth Service Programme designed

Design a Presidential Youth Service Programme

Higher Education Youth Service programme designed

Design a Higher Education Youth Service programme

Programme 4

Outcome	Output indicator	2020/21 target	Revised 2020/2021 target
To produce research and policy which influences change in youth sector and build sustainable relationships	Number of customer surveys conducted.	4	4
	Number of impact programme evaluations conducted.	3	1
	Produce Annual report on government wide priorities.	Produce Annual report on government wide priorities.	Produce Annual report on government wide priorities.
	Number of youth status outlook reports produced.	4 Youth status outlook reports produced.	2 Youth status outlook reports produced.

4. Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)

4.1 Background

The background and context of CGE’s work emanates from Section 181 of the Constitution (1996) and it is one of the Chapter 9 institutions which are independent entities for strengthening democracy. The CGE is therefore required to report to the National Assembly at least once a year regarding the progress of carrying out its strategic objectives. Section 187 of the Constitution stipulates that the Commission should promote respect for gender equality, and protect and develop its attainment, as well as monitor, educate, lobby, advise and report on issues related to gender equality.

4.2 Powers Assigned to the CGE

In line with the CGE’s obligation to strengthen constitutional democracy with a focus on the attainment of gender equality, the CGE has a legislative mandate and functions which include the following:

Monitor, evaluate and make recommendations on:

Policies and practices of organs of state, statutory bodies and functionaries, public bodies or private businesses, to promote gender equality.
Any existing law including indigenous law and practices.
Government’s compliance with international conventions with respect to gender equality.

Propose/recommend on:

New law that may impact on gender equality or the status of women.

Develop, conduct or manage

Educational strategies and programmes that foster understanding about gender equality and the role of the CGE.

Investigate and resolve conflicts

On gender matters and complaints through mediation, conciliation and negotiation or referral to other institutions.

Liaise and interact

With institutions, bodies or authorities with similar objectives to the Commission.
With any organisation which actively promotes gender equality and other sectors of civil society to further the objectives of the Commission.

Prepare and submit reports

To Parliament on aspects relating to gender equality.

In addition, the Commission for Gender Equality may:

Conduct or order research to be conducted;
Consider recommendations, suggestions and request from any source.

The Commission is publicly funded and is thus subject to the reporting requirements of the Public Finance Management Act (Act No 1, 1999). The obligations of the PFMA include an audit by the Auditor General. In line with its Constitutional mandate, the vision of the Commission for Gender Equality remains to strive for “a society free from all forms of gender oppression and inequality”, while its mission includes to “advance, promote, protect, monitor and evaluate gender equality through undertaking research, public education, policy development, legislative initiatives, effective monitoring and litigation”.

4.3 Implications of COVID-19 on mandate of the CGE

The CGE has an immense task and responsibility in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given its already limited human and financial resources, the reduction in budget through the revision process will place additional pressure on the Commission

The CGE notes that:

Domestic abuse is increasing during the crisis with large rises in calls to helplines and reports that domestic violence has more than doubled. Women, children and LGBTQIA are more likely to experience violence and domestic abuse. Due to conflicting statistics around domestic abuse and GBVF during this period, the Commission will be obliged to undertake investigate/research to verify the existing statistics available. This would place the CGE in a position release the findings and recommendations relating to the current narrative of GBV and Femicide and will pronounce on the validity and reliability of existing data.

The CGE indicated that they are aware of concerns that women are not able to access basic sexual reproductive health and rights services. This may force the Commission to investigate and monitor closely access to Sexual and Reproductive Health.

They indicated that there has been media reports that there is surface lack of PPE for frontline workers and healthcare workers and this likely to impact on COVID-19 cases. They indicated that this would mean the Commission may have to undertake investigate on the perceived lack of PPE for healthcare frontline workers.

4.4ANALYSIS OF THE REVISED BUDGET ON EACH PROGRAM

The CGE indicated the following with regards to the revised budget implication on overall allocations:

The Commission receives a reduction of R10.3 million to its budget, leaving it with a budget of R79.5 million.

Despite this reduction, the CGE indicates that through cost-containment and reprioritisation of its remaining budget, as well as partnership and collaboration, it will not have to compromise on any of its targets and these will continue as planned.

Much of the CGE’s work is reliant on engagement with government and civil society stakeholders and communities at large. In the context of the restrictions and social distancing protocols required by COVID 19 management, this has to be reorganised.

Changes to programme/ strategic objective budgets

The CGE indicates that it has reprioritised approximately R6 million of its remaining budget to absorb the reduction.

It will effect savings to the amount of R5.5 million as a result of delaying the filling of some vacancies. These include amongst others, 4 researcher positions, 1 parliamentary officer, 1 provincial administrator and 1 personal assistant to the Deputy Chairperson. While this saving is redirected toward the attainment of targets and implementation of programmes, it effectively places strain on existing employees as they are absorbing additional responsibilities.

The following programmes are specifically impacted:

Stakeholder engagements:

Provinces will hold virtual meeting to organise engagements
Webinars will be hosted
Where data is a challenge, the Commission will explore tele-conferencing.

Public education campaigns

Outreach, advocacy and legal clinics will be conducted through community radio stations procured via GCIS
The focus will be on GBVF specifically the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act.

Gender Mainstreaming

Each Province/Provincial Office will be working with 2 municipalities to analyse/assess their Integrated Development Plans in terms of mainstreaming.
Findings will be communicated in writing and through virtual meetings.
Sharing of information/results will be done via webinars.

5. Observations

Having met with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the National Youth Development Agency and the Commission for Gender Equality to scrutinise their adjusted Annual Performance Plan for 2020/2021, the Committee made the following observations:

Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

The Committee thanked the Department for the presentation and requested them to indicate whether the adjusted APP targets will be achieved or will be carried over to the next financial year. The Committee also requested the Department to provide the rationale for the retraction of funds in the Advocacy and Mainstreaming programme as this plays a pivotal role in raising awareness in Gender Based Violence and Femicide. The Committee further wanted to know which policy implementation matters were affected by the adjustments.

The Committee raised concerns about the increasing levels of Gender-based Violence and Femicide and the brutality with which women and children were losing their lives. It appealed to the Department to monitor and intervene in this regard.

The Committee also commented that persons with disabilities express sentiments of exclusion and enquired as to whether there were no other alternative options to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities other than the target related to National Disability Rights Machinery. The Committee enquired whether there is any evidence to support the proposed option. The Department was also urged to prioritise the Disability Rights Bill. A concern was also raised around the delays in the opening of special schools, in particular schools for the blind.

The Department was urged to extend the closing date for submission of public comments on the Draft National Youth Policy to give opportunity to all youth formations to submit their comments. The Department indicated that it had extended the closing date to 28 April and that physical consultations were held in all 9 provinces. Inputs were also received via various virtual and social media platforms. A webinar was hosted on 29 June 2020 with stakeholders across the youth sector to discuss comments and get buy-in for the finalisation of the process.

The Committee commended the Department on finalising the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence (NSP on GBV). The Committee enquired as to the progress of the monitoring and evaluation tool to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the NSP on GBV. It requested the time-frames and budget allocated to the Plan. The Committee highlighted the importance of the NSP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework as a tool for oversight.

The Committee noted that in 2019/20, the budget for persons with disabilities did not include that of persons with disabilities as it was still under the Department of Social Development and enquired whether the budget for persons with disabilities is included 2020/2021 in financial year. It also enquired which legislation will be covered by the Department for persons with disabilities.

The Committee was concerned that the budget on mass mobilisation was decreased due to COVID-19 and questioned how the Department would reach women in rural areas. The Department acknowledged that it did not want to broaden the divide between persons who do not have access to data and other virtual means, and those who do. The Committee concurred and the Department was urged to have other means to raise awareness on issues related to women in order to reach women in rural areas.

The Committee was concerned that messaging around COVID-19 and its prevention and consequences were not reaching all communities as information was not being prepared and shared in all languages.

The Committee wanted to know whether the Department is monitoring and ensuring that UIF reaches the affected parties e.g. women and persons with disabilities.

The Committee noted an instance where SAPS had not assisted illegal immigrants to open cases related to gender based violence and enquired as to how the Department assists women who are illegal immigrants in this regard. The Committee also wanted to know whether cases of abuse for illegal immigrants are counted by Stats SA.

The Committee requested more information on the Sanitary Dignity Programme during COVID -19 period.

The Committee raised concerns around mental health services for women, youth and persons with disabilities, and as well as the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls, given the high rates of GBV and Femicide.

The Committee was concerned about the increase in depression and anxiety amongst women as a result of job losses and unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Committee was also concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental wellness of youth at tertiary institutions. Issues around access to data and network has compounded the situation.

NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Committee commended the NYDA for the presentation and the inclusion of young people with disabilities. However, the Committee was concerned that the budget of the creation of jobs programme has been reduced by R16 million and that R2 million reduced on research and requested the NYDA to give reasons for the budget adjustments. The Committee also requested the NYDA to extend the date of submission of comments to the National Youth Policy to ensure that all stakeholders can submit their comments.

The Committee noted that the NYDA will create immediate jobs and wanted to know what are those jobs and how soon can these be created. The Committee also enquired as to what are the intervention to provide women and youth with skills and employment. The Committee wanted to know the plans of the NYDA in relation to COVID-19 and communication strategies to create awareness to ensure that young people are safe during the pandemic.

The Committee questioned what, if any, role the NYDA has played in facilitating mental health and wellness facilities for young people. It also enquired whether the NYDA was addressing issues of rape culture and GBV in schools.

The Committee enquired as to whether the NYDA has done research on the hemp industry as an industry that could create employment for young people.

The Committee noted that the NYDA conducts on-line and face-to-face training and requested clarity on how this was being done in the context of COVID-19. The Committee also enquired about who bears the costs for on-line training.

The NYDA indicated that its workforce operated at 50 percent capacity for safety and social distancing as required by COVID-19 regulations. The Committee enquired how this impacts on service delivery to youth and whether all offices were currently open. The NYDA indicated that all of its offices except its Mthatha office, which was closed due to a positive COVID-19 case, are currently operational. They encouraged youth to call the various offices for enquiries prior to visiting to ensure that there is no congestion and long lines at the offices.

The Committee noted that the NYDA is implementing the 1000 businesses in 100 days campaign and requested progress on the campaign. The Committee also noted that the partnership with SETA have been reduced from 8 to 4 and enquired whether these partnership has financial implications in terms of establishing partnerships with SETA.

The Committee was concerned that the number of young people capacitated to enter the job market has been reduced from 15 000 to 5000. The Committee also enquired as to whether the Agency started to plan beyond the COVID-19 period. The Committee wanted to know the role of NYDA in assisting unemployed graduates.

The Committee noted that the NYDA has been allocated a seat on the economic work stream of Natjoints, to support initiatives for youth development and wanted to know the initiatives conducted on economic work-stream.

The Committee also enquired as to how many people with disabilities benefitted from the programmes of the NYDA. The Committee also wanted to know how does the NYDA ensure that youth and people with disabilities benefit from COVID-19 relief grant especially, those in rural areas. The Committee also enquired as to the negative impact of budget cuts to services provided to youth especially those in rural areas.

Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)

The Committee commended the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on ensuring that targets planned have not been changed.
The Committee was concerned that the CGE’s budget has been reduced by R10 million, particularly given that gender-based violence has been pronounced as a second pandemic by the President. The Commission has remained continuously under-funded as compared to other Chapter 9 Institutions. The Committee raised its concern that the reduction would further compromise the activities and execution of the CGE’s mandate.
The Committee noted that the Commission would be undertaking research on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as well as other ad hoc research as needed on COVID-19 matters.
The Committee enquired as to how the Commissionselects topics when deciding what to conduct research on.
The Committee enquired as to whether there are any plans to continue with the boy-child programme as this is important to deal with issues related with gender based violence and femicide.
The Committee was concerned that the Commission has concentrated more on public sector in ensuring gender equality representation in Boards as compared to the private sector.
The Committee questioned how the CGE would monitor and evaluate the implementation of the NSP on GBVF.
The Committee noted with concern that the CGE reduced budget for filling of vacancies in order to finance COVID-19 budget.
The Committee noted that the position of the CEO would become vacant at the end of July 2020.

6. Recommendations

Having considered the adjusted Annual Performance Plan and Budget for the Department, the National Youth Development Agency and the Commission for Gender Equality, the Committee recommends as follows:

6.1 Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

The Department should provide the Committee with the list of all legislation that is a priority.
The Department should re-advertise the National Youth Policy and extend the closing date for submission of public comments on the policy.
The Department was urged to prioritise legislation for persons with disabilities.
The Department should monitor the reopening of special schools and should ensure that they are opened safely.
The Department should monitor representation of women in Chapter 9 Institutions.
The Department should devise a strategy on how to reach women, youth and people with disabilities in rural areas and also to communicate in languages used in those areas.
The Department should also revive the WEGE Bill that lapsed in 2014 and submit it to Parliament for further processing.
The Department should ensure that they invite all stakeholders in their sessions when engaging on the NSP on GBVF and the criteria for people to serve on the National Council on Gender Based Violence.
The Department should, through its advocacy and awareness, focus on mental health and wellness, as well as work collaboratively with Social Development to provide services through social workers.
The Department should monitor the Department of Labour and Employment insofar as the processing of UIF payments to women, youth and persons with disabilities are concerned.
The Department should engage with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies on improving access to data, networks and infrastructure, as well as creating awareness and capacitating communities around the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The Department should respond to the Committee on the above matters within 4 weeks of the date of publishing of this report.

6.2 National Youth Development Agency

The NYDA should look at strategies to deal with the hemp industry that can create employment for young people and assist them to get licences for farming, partnering with the Department of Health and Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on the issue.
The NYDA should prioritise issue of land, agriculture and mining to ensure that young people have access and can benefit from these programmes.
The NYDA should work with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to deal with issues related to artists, creatives and athletes.
The NYDA should meet with the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies to discuss issues relating to communications infrastructure, connectivity and data, so as to ensure access for youth, particularly in rural areas.

6.3 Commission for Gender Equality

The CGE was urged to conduct research on agriculture and partner with institution such as NYDA to encourage youth and young women to participate in agricultural sector.
The Commission should share the findings of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)research, as well as any other ad hoc research undertaken, with the Committee.
The Commission was cautioned and encouraged to ensure that all necessary protocols are in place for staff safety at offices during the COVID-19 pandemic to enable service to continue.
The Commission should ensure that communities in rural areas who do not have access to infrastructure such as data, telephone service and poor or no network are covered when conducting programmes during COVID-19 period.
The Commission should ensure that there is gender equal representation in Boards in the private sector.
The Committee urged the Commission to fast-track the filling of the CEO position. In the event that the process is not completed by end of July, the Commission should appoint an acting CEO.
The Commission must develop a monitoring and evaluation model/ framework for the implementation of the NSP on GBVF.
The Committee requests National Treasury to revise its funding model for allocation of funds to the CGE.

7. Conclusion

The Committee remains committed to ensuring that astute oversight is conducted on the Department, the Commission for Gender Equality and the National Youth Development Agency, who all have a significant role to play in improving the lives of women, youth, persons with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Report to be considered.

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Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

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