27 August 2007
Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi
today hosted senior managers for a roundtable discussion on gender
mainstreaming in the public service in Pretoria.
Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi spoke of the enabling and conducive
environment that is underpinned by the progressive legislative framework within
the country, the National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender
Equality and the Strategic Framework for Gender Equality in the Public Service
with an Implementation Guideline and Plan of Action.
Addressing on compliance issues, Minister in the Presidency, Mr Essop Pahad,
spoke to the challenges faced in terms of compliance to the framework
provided.
Minister alluded to the implementation of the framework in the three spheres
of government and on how each level of government received different levels of
success. Minister Pahad also spoke of institutionalising gender focal points at
senior management level within all departments and explored the possibility of
having to headhunt to meet the fifty percent representation target by 2009.
At the meeting Minister Fraser-Moleketi officially launched the 8 principle
action plan for promoting women's empowerment and gender equality in the
workplace and presented to each head of department a framed copy that would
serve as a sign of commitment by the departmental head to the advancement of
women in the workplace.
The 8-Principles are:
1. Transformation for non-sexism
Promoting and protecting human dignity and human rights of women, including
the rights of women with disabilities.
2. Establishing a policy environment
The full implementation of national policies and implementation guidelines
on women's empowerment and gender equality through the development of
departmental and sector-specific guidelines and standard operating
procedures.
3. Meeting equity targets
Ensuring women's full participation in decision-making through the
employment of 50% women at all levels of the Senior Management Service
(SMS).
4. Creating an enabling environment
Putting in place departmental and sector Gender Management Systems, adequate
Institutional Mechanisms and dedicated Gender Units.
5. Gender mainstreaming
Incorporating gender perspectives into all work of the department.
6. Empowerment
Capacity development for women's advancement and gender equality.
7. Providing adequate resources
Availing adequate human, physical and financial resources for advancing
gender equality.
8. Accountability, monitoring and evaluation
Ensuring full responsibility, ownership for and reporting on advancing
gender equality within the Public Service.
Minister Fraser-Moleketi announced a recommendation by the department that
one week be declared a Public Service Women Management Week during National
Women's Month. The Minister also indicated that a Women Manager's Forum for the
public service will be set up at this year's Senior Management Service (SMS)
conference in September.
"Gender equality can only be achieved through addressing women's unique
practical needs as employees. All policies, programmes and projects affect
women and men differently at the workplace. It is important that men play a
central and critical role in ensuring that gender equality is achieved," said
Ms Fraser-Moleketi.
She went on to say that "women managers in the Public Service need to take
up their social responsibility roles through their engagement with the citizens
they serve as well as the stakeholders within their sectors. It is imperative
that as women we continually strive to promote women's development within the
broader society."
She further emphasised that "the Public Service must be an enabling
environment, conducive for the development of women employees, with particular
emphasis on upward mobility for young women."
In closing, Minister Fraser-Moleketi stressed "that the vision of non-sexism
and gender equality cannot be realised, unless we see in practical and visible
terms that the condition of women in the Public Sector has radically changed
for the better."
Issued by: Ministry of Public Service and Administration
27 August 2007
