The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is an independent statutory body created under Chapter 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 (‘the Constitution’). The CGE has a mandate to promote and protect gender equality in government, civil society and the private sector. To this end, the Commission on Gender Equality Act No 39 of 1996 gives the CGE the mandate and the powers to educate, monitor and evaluate policies and practices of organs of state at any level, statutory bodies and functionaries, public bodies and authorities and private businesses, enterprises and institutions in order to promote gender equality and make any recommendations that the CGE deems necessary.
In partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the CGE is in the process of reviewing cultural/traditional and religious practices in terms of their standing with the constitution; the CGE Act; international conventions, treaties, and declarations in relation to gender equality. Dialogues on virginity testing and Ukuthwala have been held in communities of Bergville (Emazizini), Pietermaritzburg (KwaMafunze) and Umzimkhulu.
You are invited to attend a consultative workshop on these practices. The objective of the workshop is to craft a way forward in terms of policy that will regulate such practices.
Details are as follows:
Date: 4 November 2009
Venue: 244 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Administration Building (dining hall)
Programme:
* 09h00 to 9h30: Registration and tea
* 9h30 to 9h45: Welcome and purpose by Makhosazana Nxumalo
* 9h45 to 10h05: Traditional Practices: A Critical Perspective Dr Pearl Sithole
* 10h05 to 10h30: Legislative Context Commissioner Janine Hicks
* 10h30 to 10h50: Feedback from provincial dialogues: Makhosazana Nxumalo
* 10h50 to 11h00: Questions of clarity
* 11h00 to 12h30: Deliberations and recommendations
* 12h30 to 12h45: Legal Response Cathy Albertyn (TBC)
* 12h45 to 13h15: Way forward Commissioner Janine Hicks
* 13h15: Lunch and departure
RSVP:
Dudu Mngoma
Tel: 031 304 9445
E-mail: dudu@cge.org.za
Issued by: Commission for Gender Equality
28 October 2009
