CGE Presentation
11 August 2010
Index
Mandate
Strategic Plan
Provinces: POA 2009-2010
Turn Around Strategy
Our mandate
The Commission on Gender Equality was created in terms of Section 187
of the Constitution of SA, to strengthen and deepen constitutional
democracy in South Africa.
The Commission on Gender Equality Act 39 of 1996 charges the CGE
with a mandate to promote respect for, as well as promote the
protection, development and attainment
of gender equality.
Vision A society free from all forms of gender oppression and inequality
Mission Promotion, Protection, Monitoring and Evaluation of gender
equality in South Africa
How should we execute this
mandate?
• Monitor
• Investigate
• Research
• Educate
• Lobby
• Advise Parliament and report on issues
concerning gender equality
Thematic areas
• Gender and Poverty
• Gender Based Violence
• Gender, Democracy and Good
Governance
• Gender, Culture, Religion and Traditional
Practices
• Gender, HIV and AIDS
• National Gender Machinery
Strategic Goals and Objectives:
2008-2013
Gender & Poverty
Goals and objectives: In partnership with various
stakeholders, monitor the standard of living and
quality of life of South African women, including
female-headed households, using access to land,
water, sanitation, and transport infrastructure as key
points. The CGE monitors, researches and educates
around government strategies and programmes,
particularly at local levels, specifically aimed at
poverty eradication. The CGE makes annual
submissions with recommendations to Parliament
and key departments in this regard
Cont.
Gender-based violence
Goals: Co-operating with strategic partners, work towards the
creation of a violence free society by significantly reducing
gender-based violence
Objectives: Ensure that the national legislative and policy
frameworks comply with all international gender-based
violence instruments/protocols to which the South African
government is a signatory. Monitor enforcement of legislation
seeking to address gender-based violence and improvement
of effectiveness of service delivery. Undertake community
awareness interventions and receive and act upon
complaints.
Cont.
Democracy and Good Governance
Goals: In partnership with civil society, CGE monitors
compliance with gender equality legislative and policy
framework, gender mainstreaming and good practice
Objectives: Ensure that all legislation has been assessed from
a gender equality perspective. Using Gender Barometer,
track implementation of gender equality legislation and policy
framework by government. Engage with judiciary, private
sector, political parties and media to promote gender equality
and women’s representation in these sectors. Monitor
implementation of 50/50 campaign and assess women’s
participation in elections.
Cont.
Gender, cultures, religions and traditional practices
Goals: The CGE evaluates the role which South
African cultures, religions and traditions play in
contributing towards gender inequality, works
towards rectifying these inequalities and puts in
place mechanisms for ongoing monitoring of
gender transformation
Objectives: In conjunction with civil society partners
and leadership in these sectors, raise awareness
among communities about the mandate of the
CGE, women’s rights and gender equality.
Undertake test cases where necessary to challenge
inequality. Develop interventions to change
gender perceptions, address inequalities, and
manage complaints.
Cont.
Gender and HIV and AIDS
Goals: The CGE monitors and makes
recommendations on the gendered responsive
nature of government’s existing HIV/AIDS legislation
and programmes in terms of prevention, care,
treatment and support
Objectives: CGE assesses the extent to which the
Broad Framework for HIV/AIDS and STI Strategic Plan
for South Africa 2007-2011 reduces women’s and girl
child’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. In partnership with
civil society stakeholders, undertake awareness and
advocacy interventions to address issues relating to
women’s vulnerability and inequality
Cont.
National Gender Machinery
Goals: As part of the NGM, the CGE seeks to monitor the
implementation, development and efficacy of the NGM at all
levels, and ensure the adequate implementation of
international and regional conventions ratified by South
Africa, impacting on gender equality and women’s status.
Objectives: The CGE engages with the NGM at national and
provincial levels, to both monitor and strengthen its efficacy,
undertaking joint interventions where necessary. The CGE
undertakes monitoring and research interventions to assess
South Africa’s implementation of Beijing, CEDAW and MDG
obligations, sharing findings with South African and UN
stakeholders in this regard, and advising Parliament of
shortcomings and recommendations.
POA 2010/2011: Highlights
Theme 1 Poverty: Monitor Government progress on MDGs,
hearings on gender & energy; maternity benefits campaign
Theme 2 GBV: Human Trafficking – Red Card campaign;
monitoring implementation of legislation
Theme 3 D&GG: Monitoring Local Government elections; Gender
Barometer; Gender transformation in the workplace
Theme 4 CR&T: Conference on CR&T; study on Ukuthwala
Theme 5 HIV and AIDS: Monitor National Strategic Plan on HIV
and AIDS
Theme 6 NGM: CEDAW and Beijing reports; Review SA
Reservations in terms of African Charter on Human and
Peoples Rights of Women in Africa
Provincial Structure
Eastern
Cape
Free State
Gauteng
Kwa-Zulu
Natal
Limpopo
Mpumala
naga
NorthWest
Northern
Cape
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordina
tor
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Provincial
Coordinato
r
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Legal
Officer
Education
Officer
Education
Officer
Education
Officer
Education
Officer
Education
Officer
Education
Officer
Educatio
n Officer
Education
Officer
Education
Officer
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Provincial
Admin
Provincial
Admin
Provincial
Admin
Provincial
Admin
Provincial
Admin
Provincial
Admin
Research
er
Provincial
Admin
Provincial
Admin
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
Office
Assistant
&
Parliament
ary Officer
Provincial
Admin
Office
Assistant
Western
Cape
KZN- Key Achievements
•Dialogue on Traditional practices – consultative
workshop with stakeholders (SALC, KZN Legislature,
govt. departments etc.)
•Launch of C9 forum. Collaboration, support and
accessibility
•Manyiseni complaint
•Community meetings
•Petition
•Monitoring Roundtable meetings on EEC findings
•Beijing and CEDAW reports – 9 out of twelve
departments submitted reports
•Maternity benefits dialogues
•Discrimination in public transport
KZN
• Human trafficking task team – ascribes to prevention (awareness
and education), protection (integration of services), partnerships
(encourage partnership between govt and civil society, monitor
and address factors of HPPB and prosecution (ensure proper
processes in place to investigate and prosecute cases)
– Public awareness
– Media strategy for world cup drafted
• Popularising Karridene, Beijing and CEDAW
– Training of VEF
• Information sessions with men in partnership with Men’s Forum
• Sundumbili
• Wentworth
• Cato Manor
KZN- Challenges & Constraints
•Increase in incidents of GBV
•Poor communication between
complainants and investigations
•Magistrates and attorneys question
involvement of the CGE
•More cases on culture and human rights
•Poor/Non compliance by departments
•Resources
•Poor/Lack of continuity
KZN- Partnerships
Partnerships with local organisations in delivery of
programmes
•Gay Centre
•UKZN
•NPA
•Legal Resources Centre
•SASEWA
•Gina Barbieri
•South African Law Reform Commission
•Sisters of Faith in Action (SOFIA) – women of faith based
across
•UNFPA
•C9
KZN- M&E
The monitoring and evaluation strategies to be utilised to
ensure the success of projects/programmes
•Gender Barometer – timed monitoring
•Regular Forums on various issues e.g. GBV forum
•Develop strategies for each thematic area.
EC- Key Achievements
Gender & Poverty:
•Information Session was held at Makana Local Municipality in order to
popularise communities on MDG’s whilst also ascertaining whether these are
being achieved or not.
•As part of our monitoring, made inputs on African Peer Review Mechanism
workshops organized by Premier’s Office.
•Organized a dialogue at Buffalo City Municipality in Duncan Village on
impact of migration and its relevance to increasing levels of poverty and
collaborated with Home Affairs Centre for Refugee and BCM
•Made inputs on Iya ( Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu) document
which has a number of programmes including poverty alleviation, infusing
gender equality on their programmes which is intended for rural women.
•The collaboration with IYA was also aimed at responding to issues emerging
which are most times referring to traditional practises.
•Conducted research study on Beijing Plat Form of Action and the Land
study in order to inform National Report.
EC- Key Achievements
•Gender Based Violence seems to be the most pressing issue affecting the province
together with poverty. CGE Eastern Cape has put more efforts to address the scourge
of GBV. This has been done through :
•Workshops, Dialogues, Campaigns and discussions through Radio Programmes
•Two workshops were conducted on Human Trafficking, sex work looking at the 2010
World Cup. One of the workshops was conducted in partnership with Molo Songololo.
These workshops were held in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality including
Uitehage and City Hall Central because of the severeity of the cases in the area
which involve sex work. One of the cases resulted in the death of a young woman in
Port Elizabeth.
•Men and Boy’s dialogue was held in partnership with the Eastern Cape Council of
Churches and People Against Gender Based Violence at Zwelitsha, Buffalo City
Municipality. The focus of the workshop was on initiation because some cases of rape
that are reported in the province are as a result of a practise undertaken by the
initiates when they come out of initiation school which it is purported that it gets rid of
bad luck. These cases of rape are largely reported around Zwelitsha and Dimbaza.
•Continue to engage traditional leaders on the issue of ukuthwala which largely
includes GBV in the form of rape, physical abuse etc.
•Participated in other stakeholders programmes that seek to bring about awareness
on gender based violence.
EC- Key Achievements
DG&G
We have continued to play a supportive role to the Parliamentary Officer’s work by making inputs
on the proposed submission to parliament by CGE in terms of section 11 (1) ( c) of the CGE
ACT, which states that CGE shall evaluate any Act of Parliament, any system of personal
and family law or custom, any system of indigenous law, customs or practices and any
other law.
In puts were made on the following Bills:
Criminal Law Amendment Bill
Recognition of Customary Law Bill
Marriage Amendments Bill
Adult Prostitution Bill
Trafficking Bill
Traditional Courts Bill etc.
Although the office has made inputs on these legislation it will be ideal if the provinces could have
Parliamentary officers taking into consideration Provincial Government and Local
Government proposed Bills and by laws.
Furthermore, having one legal Officer per province is not an ideal situation taking into
consideration the three spheres of government i.e. National, Provincial and Local Government
including Provincial House of Traditional Leaders and the levels of gender inequality disparities
experienced. Through the researcher in the Province we managed to produce monitoring
research reports on the following areas which inform the National Research reports in terms of our
monitoring role and in terms of section 11 (1) (j) of the CGE ACT.
The CGE Eastern Cape office has made inputs on the following research
projects in terms of monitoring role namely:
-National Election Monitoring 2009
-Land Study Report
-Beijing Plat form for Action (shadow report)
-Made inputs to the analysis of the National Government Strategy on HIV and AIDS using the
gender lens.
EC- Key Achievements
CR&T
Most work has been done in this area with particular focus on Ukuthwala as custom, succession,
and taking complaints from the Public.
The Commission for Gender Equality in partnership with South African Human Rights and United
Nation Population Fund have embarked on a vigorous programme that seeks to educate and
inform the public in particular in areas such as Lusikisiki, Tabankulu, Engcobo around the issue of
Ukuthwala .
The programmes are targeting Traditional leaders, Community Development Workers, and
Advice Centres in the former Transkei area as most incidents of Ukuthwala are largely reported in
that area.
To date the following programmes have been implemented in responding to this thematic area to
address the scourge ukuthwala and plight of girl children:
(1)Provincial Seminar on Ukuthwala (engaging the Traditional Leaders, Eastern Cape Provincial
Legislature, OR Tambo District Municipality, CBO’s and affected children. This seminar enabled
both CGE, SAHRC to come up with programmes that will respond to the issue that include
community dialogues, workshops with CDW’s, Traditional Leaders
(2)Seminar has enabled CGE to make informed submission on the proposed bill on Ukuthwala
(3)Take Government Departments into task with regards to lack of protection of the girl child (
Social Development especially those housed at centres
(4)Conducted a workshop on Traditional Courts Bill ( the report of the workshop informed the CGE
submission to Parliament.
(5)Continue strengthening working relations with Provincial House of Traditional Leaders in
particular Iya ( Imbumba Yama Khosikazi akoMkhulu)
(6)Workshop conducted on customary and religious marriages Act collaborated with Peddie
Women’s Support Centre.
(7)The continuing partnership with United Nation’s Population Fund, SAHRC and Premiers office has
made it possible to reach out to the most remote rural areas of province and shared resources
and expertise
EC- Key Achievements
HIV & AIDS
Two dialogue’s were conducted in collaboration with NAPWA on
HIV and AIDS at Zwelitsha and Brown Farm (Makana Municipality)
The CGE has also participated actively in workshops and
conferences of the Eastern Cape Aids Council
Strengthening Constitution and Gender Machinery.
CGE Eastern Cape has good working relations with SAHRC, Office
Public Protector; and these institutions have established Chapter
Nine Forum in the Province which has Terms of Reference that
regulate the working relationship.
This is in line with the CGE Act 39 of 1996 section 11 (f) which stipulate
that “ as far as is practicable we shall maintain close liaison with
institutions, bodies or authorities with similar objectives.
We have sound working relations with the Provincial Gender
Machinery.
Participate on other stakeholder’s activities that seek to promote
Gender Equality and the Bill of Rights.
EC- Challenges & Constraints
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Eastern Cape has a population of 6.9.million people, made up of 38 local
Municipalities with vast areas, six district municipalities and one metro but soon to
have another one, i.e. Buffalo City
The CGE has a Provincial Office which has the following staff capacity of six staff
members and four of these are programme staff i.e. Education Officer, Researcher,
Legal Officer and supported by Provincial Coordinator
The provincial office serves the entire Province including areas that are close to KZN,
Western Cape and Lesotho which make it difficult to cover all geographic areas of
the Province because we are short staffed.
Provincial Administrator provide administration support to all the units including the
Office of the Provincial Coordinator and Commissioner's Office.
Traditional practices that continue to infringe on other people’s rights such as
Ukuthwala, Virginity Testing, Initiation and Circumcision.
Most laws that adopted by Parliament have not yet been translated into indigenous
languages, making it difficult for rural communities to understand their basic rights.
Lack of response or cooperation by certain Government Departments when
requested to provide information or complete questionnaires as part of
administering our monitoring tools.
Budgetary constraints and resources.
Certain members of our society continue to ignore the basic cornerstone of our
constitution such as equality based on gender, i.e.discriminating against women in
succeeding as traditional leaders of their respective communities. This is evident from
Bathekile Holomisa/Xhanti Sigcawu statement on Sigcawu traditional leadership
dispute. This makes the work of the CGE difficult if a prominent member of our
society continue to make such statements as opposed to upholding the constitution
as member of parliament.
EC- Partnerships
Partnerships with local organisations in delivery of programmes
•The Eastern Cape Chapter Nine Forum (CGE,SAHRC,OPP) with
particular focus on Human Rights calendar events namely ( 21
March, 27,April, Women’s Month etc) and complaints handling.
•University of Forth Hare Gender Forum awareness raising
programmes on Gender Based Violence.
•Eastern Cape Council of Churches
•People Against Gender Based Violence (NGO)
•Iya (Imbumba yama Khosikazi akomkhulu launch and Programmes
on ukuthwala)
•Molo Songololo ( Human trafficking workshops)
•United Population Fund (intervention ukuthwala Programme
•Refugee centre Port Elizabeth (Home Affairs)
•Women Against Women Abuse ( WAWA NGO)
•Eastern Cape HIV/Aids Council
•Progressive Women’s Movement
•District and Local Municipalities
•Provincial Gender Machinery
•Child Welfare
•WARD
EC-M&E
The monitoring and evaluation strategies to be utilised to ensure the
success of projects/programmes
•
•
•
•
Through the funding and resources mobilization that has been
made available by UNFP we have started with the
programmes of capacitating traditional leaders on gender
equality and Human Rights.
Engaged Civil Society organizations by signing TOR’s with them,
which outline programmes that we will be conducting jointly
with them in line with the CGE mandate. In so doing,
maximising the minimal resources at the CGE’s disposal and
providing capacity as well strengthening working relations.
In a process of establishing community response teams by
engaging the existing structures in the communities to work
closely with CGE in particular on rural areas. This also has been
made possible by partnership with UNFPA, Premier’s Office and
SAHRC.
Continue to formulate media statements to denounce gender
discrimination and Gender Based Violence and in so doing
popularizing the work of CGE and invite the Public to use our
services.
Turn Around Strategy
The purpose is to provide the Committee with the following:
1) An insight into the challenges prevailing in the CGE
2) The Course of action we would be pursuing to deal with these
challenges
3) To solicit inputs aimed at refining the aforementioned course of action
4) The Financial Turn Around Strategy will strengthen & support the CGE’s
performance
Turn Around Strategy
Over the past few years, the AG has provided audit
opinions on CGE’s conducting of financial affairs.
These opinions have been predominantly negative as
a result of shortcomings in the following areas:
Control environment
Control activities
Risk management
Information and communication
Monitoring
Turn Around Strategy
Control environment
Organisational structure
Management and staff authority and responsibility
HR policies
Integrity and ethical values not developed or understood
Accounting officer not exercising oversight responsibility
Lack of competent staff
Control Activities
Inadequate segregation of duties to prevent fraud and misappropriation
Poor controls which compromise the integrity of the information systems
Poor authorisation procedures
Failure to achieve financial reporting objectives
Control activities not selected to mitigate risks
Policies and procedures related to financial reporting not well established
Turn Around Strategy
Information and Communication
Unavailability of information to implement internal controls
Pertinent information not identified and captured in an appropriate
manner and within requisite time frames
Communications not enabling the support and execution of internal
controls
Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring and supervision not undertaken
No reviews by internal audit or audit committee
Internal control deficiency not identified and communicated
Corrective actions not taken
Turn Around Strategy
Scope of Project Clean CGE Audit
Project clean audit endeavours to move the organisation from having received a
disclaimer to having an unqualified audit in future by addressing:
Control activities
Risk management
Information and communication
Monitoring
The three key activities which are being pursued cover the following 3 focus
areas:
1.Finance
2.Human Resource
3.Governance and Business Process Improvement
Turn Around Strategy
Finance
Leases
Fixed asset count
Liabilities - Payroll
Liabilities - sundry trade and staff creditors
Current asset
Petty cash
Cash and bank
Income expenditure
Audit office and reporting
Internal controls
Turn Around Strategy
Human Resource
Employee personal records
Payroll and related records
Performance Management system
Recruitment for critical positions
Job evaluation and Organisational structure
Governance and business process Improvements
Supply chain management
Budget control
Compliance to treasury regulations
Month end policies
Document management
Capacity building within the Finance department
Turn Around Strategy
Anticipated Outcomes
The following are anticipated outcomes:
1) Movement from disclaimer to qualified audit in year one.
2) Movement from qualified audit to unqualified audit in year two.
3) Sustaining of unqualified audit opinion in year three.
4) Improved Organisational Performance
THANK YOU