On 12 November 2014, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in Free State province will engage with various entities, which had appeared before the Commission in 27 to 28 February 2013, as part of the CGE’s enquiry and investigation into gender transformation in the workplace:
- Department of Education
- Department of Human Settlement
- Department of tourism and Environmental Affairs
- Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
- Mangaung Metro Municipality
- Airports Company South Africa
- Free State Development Cooperation
- Sedibeng Water
The purpose of the policy dialogue is to track progress made from initial set of hearings.
On the whole, the CGE is hugely encouraged by the transformation commitments and interventions that these stakeholders have shepherded – “We truly feel that they have placed gender on their agenda”. Some entities are still not where transformation should be in terms of women in management – with women sitting on average at 20% representation in this tier. The CGE commends entities, municipalities and government departments that have 51% representation of women in senior management. People with disabilities remain under-represented in the workplace generally, on average at 1% among these stakeholders, and particularly in management. It is a pity though that some of these institutions, the CGE had to use its legislative muscle for them to appear before the hearings.
“The CGE in the Free State Province will continue to monitor these entities and provide transformation assistance as required, and will extend its future round of employment equity hearings to an additional set of stakeholders in the province. Findings and best practice will be integrated into the CGE’s take-up of these issues with national policy-makers and structures, hence this policy dialogue as part of a feedback session. Entities are also encouraged to use the assistance offered by the Department of Labour as they implement Employment Equity Act,” said Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi, the Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality.
Date: 12 November 2014
Venue: President Hotel
Time: 08h30 to 16h30
Enquiries:
Javu Baloyi
Cell: 083 579 3306
