As the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) on 08 March 2017, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) calls for boldness and decisiveness in ensuring that the rate in which women are being empowered is accelerated. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made towards gender equality, to call for more change and celebrate acts of boldness and determination by ordinary women in their countries and communities. This year the world celebrates IWD under the theme “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”
Whilst we have noted some gains in terms of gender equality through the efforts of key institutions including the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), there are still glaring gaps that remain a hindrance in attainment of gender equality. The Commission has noted with interest that during the State of the Nation Address the President of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Jacob Zuma indicated the need for radical economic transformation. The CGE hopes that government will put programmes that would be geared into economic empowerment of women.
The Commission for gender equality is particularly pleased that this year’s theme is looking at how to accelerate the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goal number 4 which speaks to ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning, and goal number 5 which speaks to achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls.
The CGE believes that the boldness for change should happen in both private and public sector. In an endeavour to ensure that women empowerment is realised, women CEO and directors in all spheres must be appointed or elevated to such positions. This boldness for change should extend to the recognition of the informal economy where majority of women operate. An enabling and conducive environment should be created for them to function. This will ultimately ensure that empowering of women as per 61st session of the United Nations on the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW).
Guided by relevant legal prescripts, International and Regional Protocols that the country has ratified and signed, the country's Constitution and the CGE Act, the Commission will roll out its outreach programme, including legal clinics, throughout the country to educate the public about the SDGs, particularly goal number four and five. The Commission will also receive complaints from citizens in relation to the violation of their gender rights.
The CGE encourages the public to utilize its toll free number (0800 007 709) to report matters that relate to violations of gender rights.
Contact Person:
Javu Baloyi
Tel: 083 579 3306
The Commission for Gender Equality is established in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in order to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.
