What has freedom brought us?
In the year of celebrating the Centenary of the Father of the Nation, Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Mama Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu which coincides with the 24-year celebration since the advent of democracy in South Africa, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) feels that there is more to celebrate in terms of the progress that has been made in the attainment of gender equality. Tomorrow, 27 April, South Africans across racial divides will be celebrating the watershed moment that took place in 1994 wherein a democratic government was ushered in. As the Commission, it is a moment to reflect on the gains and challenges that still exist in realisation of gender equality in country.
The CGE believes that progress has been made by the South African government towards a society free of gender oppression and inequality. The South African Constitution by design embraces the principle of gender equality, various legislative frameworks and international protocols and conventions have been signed in an attempt to advance the realisation of gender equality. Besides these, the South African government is party to the SADC Protocol on Gender and development, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and many more regional treaties that are envisioned as some of the measures to bring gender parity to acceptable levels.
The CGE has noted with admiration the number of women representatives in the National Assembly, Provincial Governments and Local Governments. We have also seen various political parties embracing the quota system including the ruling party. The Commission has observed a high number of girls going to school and graduating on top of their classes with degrees. It is also very critical to note that South Africa has lots of women Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Various boards and government departments have women in positions that can influence policy direction of their respective institutions.
The gender transformation investigative hearings have afforded the CGE an opportunity to engage with both the private and public sector on gender equality matters. We have seen Universities like the University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), University of Witwatersrand (WITS), University of Cape Town (UCT), Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and others despite some gaps that the Commission has identified making an effort to address gender equality within their ranks.
The Commission for Gender Equality too is not what it was 10 years ago. The organisation has made a remarkable turnaround. It has positioned itself as an institution of choice when it comes to gender matters. The Commission has not only received countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Malawi, Egypt and many more in order to exchange best practices when it comes to gender equality matters but continues to be invited by these countries and others to give guidance to and to learn from their respective commissions established through our advice. The complaints being received daily and finalised to the satisfaction of complainants is a testimony of the CGE that is hard at work to transform the country in terms of gender equality. The CGE is inundated on a daily basis with requests from both the private and public sectors with requests to capacitate both the executives and staff on gender matters.
Despite these glowing achievements as a country we still have challenges that if not addressed will hamper the progress that freedom has brought us. We still have girls who cannot go to schools because of lack of sanitary pads. There is also patriarchy that still rears its ugly head in society. Sex workers still bear the brunt of police harassment and societal prejudices despite a call by the Commission for decriminalization of sex work, something that was also adopted by the 54th Conference of the African National (Congress) last year in Nasrec. The country still experiences high levels of gender based violence and femicide. There are still wage disparities particularly in the private sector. The pace of promoting women to positions of leadership and management is still very slow. Business is not prioritizing gender equality as their core mandate, hence the lack of policies that are geared toward women empowerment.
The under-funding of institutions like the Commission for Gender Equality, Department of Women in the Presidency and the overall National Gender Machinery (NGM) is worrying. These institutions are expected to do more but receive little funding in terms of their budgets. The decisionmakers in the allocation of budgets need to do serious introspection in terms of their desire for gender equality to be achieved in our country.
As we move forward, it is therefore the Commission’s call for political parties to prioritize gender parity within the ranks. The Commission will continue to monitor this aspect and also call upon the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to start a process wherein parties conform to gender quotas. Failure to do so should lead to disqualification in participating in any form of election. The CGE is also making a clarion call for the National Council on Gender Based Violence which will have Government Departments, Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) and Chapter Nine Institutions to be established and the National Strategy to deal with the gender based violence scourge in the country. This has to be fully resourced both financially and in terms of human resources.
The Commission believes that its very existence as a human rights based organisation has helped society to understand their rights more. The CGE’s vigorous campaign to reach every length and breadth of South Africa despite its over stretched budget is paying dividends as more people get to know about their rights and what to do if they are discriminated against. The Commission wishes every South African a happy Freedom Day. Let us celebrate cognizant of the fact that the journey towards attainment of gender equality still lies ahead.
Contact Person:
Javu Baloyi
Cell: 083 579 3306
