23 February 2009
In line with its mandate as enshrined in the Constitution, the Commission
for Gender Equality (CGE) has established an Elections Campaign Committee which
will monitor political practice within the parties and outside the parties,
manifestos and elections of 2009.
As part of the monitoring work the CGE will create platforms for
stakeholders to engage in dialogues of gender and elections, create awareness
of what men and women should expert from political parties. Our campaign seeks
to go beyond public statements by political leaders but will also look at
established political culture in the individual parties and assess whether
these parties are in fact South African citizens, especially women, can pin
their hopes on these parties, despite their manifestos.
The CGE Elections Campaign weaves gender practice within the political
party, location of women within the hierarchy of the party as well as the
manifestos themselves. From this, much can be learnt by South Africans and we
can vote from an informed position.
What have we done so far: We wrote to all political parties registered with
IEC and requested them to submit their manifestos, equal opportunity policies,
statistics of men and women in their parties, no later than 22 December 2008,
only two parties responded. South Africa take notice. We have sent reminders to
parties and after this recent letter and the CGE will publish the names of
those parties that are either too arrogant or too ignorant to take public
accountability seriously. South Africa, take notice.
Currently the CGE is undertaking the following interventions:
* Conducting a gender audit of party manifestos, to assess to what extent
these address the promotion of gender equality and the enhancement of the
status of women is integrated in party manifestos and political agenda
* Convening a national dialogue and three regional dialogues with political
party leaders and key stakeholders in the sector, to address and debate gender
equality in party manifestos, campaigning and programmes for governance, and
for party leadership to publicly commit to promoting and respecting gender
equality and signing a pledge in this regard
* Monitoring of pre-election activities, in the form of manifesto launches,
party rallies and media commentary
* Observing and analysing the compilation of party candidate lists, to
assess party steps towards achieving the 50/50 target for women's
representation in all areas of decision-making by 2015, established by the
South African Development Community (SADC) protocol on Gender and Development
2008
* Election day observing
* Investigation of any instances or complaints of gender discrimination, or
any actions that serve to undermine or demean the status of women. Currently,
Congress of the People (COPE) and Women forward have lodged a complaint with
the CGE about the utterances of Mr Sexwale and Mr Malema. We have initiated a
formal; complaints procedure on this matter and will take the necessary action.
We will be reporting to the complainants and to the South African public in
general
* Initiating numerous targeted media and public awareness interventions.
The CGE notes and reminds political parties of the fact that the Electoral
Act, Act 73 of 1998, Schedule 2 (6), in an effort to eliminate unfair
discrimination, imposes an obligation on every registered party and candidate
to:
* respect the right of women to communicate freely with parties and
candidates,
* facilitate the full and equal participation of women in political
activities,
* ensure the free access of women to all public political meetings, marches,
demonstrations, rallies and other public political events, and
* take all reasonable steps to ensure that women are free to engage in any
political activities.
CGE has formed partnerships with different organisations and institutions
who share similar commitment to ensure that the 2009 elections integrates
gender equality, the dignity of al persons of al race, social location and
sexual orientation. South Africa take notice. Vote to go forward, strengthen
and deepen our democratic gains and protection of the Constitution and its
values. Vote for the dignity of women in all spheres of life, private and
public. This is our Constitutional right, obligation and mandate. Vuka Mzantsi,
vul'amehlo/Wake up South Africa, open your eyes.
Enquiries:
Tel: 011 403 7182
Issued by: Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)
23 February 2009
