EEC Hearing: Gender Transformation in the Workplace

04 Mar 2013

On 7 to 8 March 2013, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in Limpopo province will host “Employment Equity Commission (EEC) Hearing: Gender Transformation in the Workplace”. In accordance therefore with its powers outlined in the CGE Act, the CGE will draw a sample of Director Generals (DGs) from the public sector and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from the private sector, for them to account for the slow pace of gender transformation in the workplace, and inadequate promotion of women with disabilities, gender equality and women empowerment.

These hearings will be conducted at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane from 09h00 to 16h00. The purpose of the hearings in part is contained in the CGE Act that compels the Commission as per its monitoring role to hold public hearings with all organs of the state, the private sector and civil society in order to raise awareness regarding these obligations and demand accountability, identify challenges and develop recommendations to ensure the realisation of gender equality in the workplace.

Objectives of the hearings:

To assess the impact of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) on women in both the public and private sector, and address institutional and systematic barriers to their economic progress
To hold public and private sector Directors accountable for non-compliance with the EEA
To raise awareness on relevant international commitments and the importance of compliance
To assess what measures have been put in place in the work place to bring about transformation in terms of gender and disability.
To share experiences and identify challenges faced by CEOs and Director-Generals in the implementation of the EEA
To strengthen the working relationship between constitutional bodies and civil society in raising awareness about South Africa’s compliance with international instruments, and support and capacity interventions provided in this regard
To develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the EEC and CGE regarding collaboration and enforcement measures for the implementation of the EEA

These hearings will be followed by a statement being issued at the end of each day to sensitise the public through the media on issues that would be emanating or emerging. An opinion piece or media engagement will follow, wherein society would be informed of the findings and recommendations going forward.

Companies and departments that would appear before the Commission for Gender Equality are:

Day 1: 7 March 2013