exercise their right to vote
21 April 2009
On the eve of the 2009 elections, the Gender and Elections Consortium, led
by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), calls on all South Africans to
exercise their right to vote as enshrined in the Constitution.
On 8 April 2009, leaders from key political parties contesting the
elections, with the exception of the African National Congress and Congress of
the People, who failed to attend, participated in a gender and elections
dialogue. At that dialogue, party representatives and participants were
presented with a gendered analysis of party manifestos and lists, as well as a
gender audit of media coverage of elections related news.
Party representatives were called upon to state why women should vote for
their parties, and were questioned on programmes and opportunities created for
young women in communities and within political parties to advance. Parties
were challenged on the lack of meaningful programmes for the empowerment of
rural women, and the failure of the state to address gender based violence.
The issue of womenâs representation in political parties, and their ability
to champion issues impacting on women was placed on the table, with parties
accused of failing to support and promote women in the lower ranks of their
parties, and shielding the men at the top of party structures from failing to
address gender issues. Parties were challenged at their failure to speak out
against and act on violence against gay, lesbian and transgendered
communities.
Parties ended their contributions by formally and publicly signing a pledge
to uphold the provisions in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Code of
Conduct relating to respecting and promoting the right of women to full and
equal participation in political activities.
The Gender and Elections Consortium has through the Commission for Gender
Equality (CGE) secured the accreditation of gender observers, who will be
deployed across all nine provinces of the country, to observe Election Day
proceedings, from a gender perspective. Observers will be assessing issues such
as access to voting stations, means of transport used, any particular
challenges experienced in casting ballots, support provided by electoral
officers to voters, and assistance provided to pregnant women, people with
small children, the aged and those with disabilities. The consortium will
compile a gendered analysis of the elections process and share its findings
with the IEC and the public at large.
Issued by: Commission for Gender Equality
21 April 2009
