South African women
1 February 2009
The Minister in The Presidency Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang today, 2 February
2009, launches a discussion on establishment of a Women's Ministry, to enhance
institutional mechanisms for women's empowerment and gender equality in South
Africa.
The discussion, following the resolution of the 52nd ANC Conference in
December 2007, is being held at the meeting of the National Gender Machinery
(NGM), organised by the Presidency in Pretoria today, 2 February.
"We now enter the final lap before the upcoming national elections. South
Africa is on the brink of an incoming administrative change. The bells are
heralding positive changes for the gender fraternity in the country. The NGM
meeting over the next two days therefore is very forward looking," says the
Minister.
The Minister envisages good deliberations on issues that are critically
important to us in moving forward. There is much debate at different levels and
in different forums on the institutional arrangements for advancing the
empowerment of gender quality, she adds.
"My earnest appeal to this meeting is that we articulate positions that
would best advance women in our country. What we decide at this meeting must be
sound, practicable and achievable, as it is going to have long term
ramifications for all women in our country now and in the future. As is
practice, there must be room for regular reviews in order to ensure that we
plan collaboratively to meet the needs of women in our country," the Minister,
says.
On the issue of establishing a Women's Ministry, the Minister and the NGM
have undertaken to prepare a concept paper towards a model for enhancing
institutional mechanisms to address women's developmental needs with a
particular focus on the establishment of a Women's Ministry.
She says: "The concept paper consolidates all the ideas that have emanated
from all the consultations and responds to the many concerns raised; including
the name of the Ministry will it be a Ministry for Women's Affairs or Ministry
of Women's and Gender Affairs, its structure and the required resources for the
implementation of programmes."
The issues being discussed in the NGM meeting will be in the declaration on
the establishment of a Ministry for Women and Gender Affairs.
Enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Tel: 012 300 5335
Cell: 083 679 7424
Issued by: The Presidency
1 February 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
