CGE welcomes the implementation of its systemic Investigative Report on the State of Shelters in South Africa
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has noted and welcomes that the Ministry of Social Development has started a process of implementing the recommendations of the systematic investigative Report on the State of Shelters in South Africa.
On the 24 June 2019, the Commission released a report which looked at shelters that housed survivors of Gender Based-Violence (GBV). The Commission recommended that the Department of Social Department must find better suited facilities or transitional houses to ensure the safety of survivors of GBV, that they comply with the minimum standards as per the international and regional instruments including the domestic laws to ensure standardisation and quality of governing such care facilities, amongst others.
Some of these recommendations were based on the deplorable and dilapidated state of the facilities that housed survivors of GBV.
CGE It is therefore, pleased to note that the Minister of the Department of Social Development (DSD), Ms Lindiwe Zulu, working together with the Minister of the Department of Public Works and infrastructure (DPW&I), Ms Patricia De Lille held a press briefing in Cape Town, yesterday.
This was in part to address some of the gaps as identified by the systemic investigation on the state of shelters in South Africa by the Commission for Gender Equality. The Department of Social Development was handed over a facility by the Department of Public Works and infrastructure for the survivors of GBV as a response to the dire need in Cape Town, as the province that did not have such a facility.
This handover was in line with line with CGE’s recommendations that facilities be accessible and made available so that they could serve as a one-stop centres for victims of GBV wherein they could be seen by doctors, offered pyscho-social counselling, care and other related social support services. We urge the Ministers to include facilities for storage of goods as well as budget allocation that accommodates children of victims of GBV within shelters and transitional center.
As mandated by the Constitution and the CGE Act 39 of 1996, as amended, the Commission will continue to monitor and evaluate the full implementation of the binding recommendations of its systemic investigative report on the state of shelters in South Africa.
Enquiries:
Javu Baloyi
Tel: 083 579 3306
