Sonke Gender Justice Network, Tshwaranang, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), Nisaa and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) will be hosting a roundtable discussion on 2011 Local Government Elections - Addressing HIV and AIDS and Gender-based Violence on 5 March 2011 at the Roman Catholic Church, Orange Farm. We believe that the upcoming 2011 Local government elections have created an important opportunity to discuss issues which are most pertinent to women.
Local governments ought to spearhead service delivery and, very often, citizens" dissatisfaction with service delivery role out has been expressed in violent terms. Regarding gender equality issues, the political parties contesting the coming elections have been challenged to respond to the issues of the political representation of women and their commitment to 50/50 lists.
However, little has been said or discussed regarding the local dimensions and challenges of making local government work for communities and people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. As importantly, safety issues of women, in particular putting an end to the gender-based violence experienced daily by women and Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersexed (LGBTI) citizens rank high in the priorities list of the councilors in waiting.
NB. All the major political parties have so far confirmed attendance. This goes to show that the media intervention in coverage will go a long way in ensuring that pertinent issues affecting women aren’t left behind during and after the elections
The roundtable objectives are:
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To examine how each political party aims to tackle the issues of HIV and AIDS and gender based violence (GBV), drawing on the parties’ local government election manifestos
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To provide a space for civil society organisations and community members to voice their concerns about the local government service delivery pace regarding HIV and AIDS and GBV and the involvement of men in gender equality promotion
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To extract some form of commitment from the political parties to incorporate civil society agendas in their local government programmes if/when they win seats for their candidates
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To discuss and agree on monitoring and tracking of actual implementation of political parties’ local government elections manifestos and commitments to HIV and AIDS and GBV.
A draft programme for the event is attached. You are invited to join us and participate in this dialogue. Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 5 May 2011
Time: 10h00 to 13h00 followed by a light lunch
Venue: Roman Catholic Church in Orange Farm
RSVP:
- Mbuyiselo mbuyiselo@genderjustice.org.za
- Javu Javu@cge.org.za
- Alex alex@tlac.org.za
Roundtable discussion: 2011 Local Government Elections, addressing HIV and AIDS and Gender-based Violence
Draft programme: 5 May 2011
10h00: Welcome address and opening remarks by community leader and Mbuyiselo Botha (Sonke Gender Justice)
10h15: Presentation: Party manifestos and HIV and AIDS and gender-based violence, Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre
10h30:Political parties discussion: tackling the issues of HIV and AIDS and gender-based violence at the local level, facilitated by POWA
12h00:Facilitated discussion
12h45: Closing remarks by Commission for Gender Equality
