6 March 2007
International women's organisations and gender experts applauded the work of
the South African national gender machinery at a panel discussion conducted on
Monday, 5 March 2007, at the United Nations in New York. The interactive
discussion on "Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of
Women and Gender Equality: The South African Experience" was hosted by the
Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations and
facilitated by the South African Commission on Gender Equality. Delegates from
across the globe participated and shared experiences and good practices.
Participants reiterated the viability and importance of a well co-ordinated
and extensive South African gender machinery to ensure wide participation and
effective implementation of policies on national, provincial and local levels.
Furthermore, participants identified the need for the South African gender
machinery to be fully and duly represented by a women's gender ministry at
Cabinet level to ensure that women's and gender issues receive the attention it
deserves. This would also provide a single entry point for international
organisations to interact and collaborate with the gender machinery.
Concerns regarding pervasive and deep-rooted patriarchy were expressed and
identified as the most serious impediment to the advancement of women and
gender equality in South Africa. A call was made for renewed efforts to create
a truly non-sexist society.
Enquiries:
Ms Chana Majake
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 011 403 7182
Cell: 083 278 6324
Issued by: Commission on Gender Equality
6 March 2007
Source: Commission on Gender Equality (http://www.cge.org.za)
