Date: 16/04/2010
Source: African Christian Democratic Party
Title: ACDP: Dudley: Speech by ACDP Member of Parliament on the Women, Children and People with Disabilities budget vote, National Assembly

"The aim of the newly established Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities is to drive, accelerate and oversee government's equity, equality and empowerment agenda on women, children and persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on poor and rural communities.

Hon Minister, the ACDP wishes you every success in the task ahead of you. We will support this budget vote despite the obvious challenges and budget limitations.

We note the priorities outlined by the Department are in line with priorities outlined in the 2010 State of the Nation Address, in relation to improved performance monitoring and evaluation, improved access to rights and developmental opportunities for women, children and persons with disabilities...also, the Department's focus on the protection of the rights of persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

It has not been clear however how existing priorities are specifically aimed at supporting and protecting family life.

Hon Minister in the departments ‘Mandate Implementation Improvement Plan', the first point the department makes is that, and I quote "family life is critical for delivery on the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities... Strengthening of family structures is therefore an important element of successful delivery on the rights of persons in these vulnerable groups" close quotes. The ACDP believes the people of South Africa would like to hear more about how the department plans to prioritise this important aspect.

The Department has four budgetary Programmes namely Administration, Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Children's Rights and Responsibilities and Rights of People with Disabilities. As the department has only recently been established it is not possible to compare budgetary increases or decreases with previous years' allocations.

It is our understanding Hon Minister that a substantial amount of the budget for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities has been allocated to the CGE or Commission on Gender Equality. Is it correct to say that this reportedly dysfunctional body which independent auditors have recommended be placed under ‘mentorship' will be taking up half of the department's budget...surely this is problematic?

Despite extremely limited resources the department, aims to prioritise a comprehensive national early childhood development programme to facilitate 75% reach of ECD in especially rural, farm and poor communities; eradicate 75% of the street or begging children phenomenon through sustainable systems for rehabilitation, reintegration into family and community life and preventative measures; strengthen HIV and AIDS, gender and disabilities related child rights; and safety on long distance travel to schools. It is not clear how the department will be expected to contribute in terms of these priorities in relation to other departments. There are approximately 18.3 million children living in South Africa. The allocated budget of R7.1 million for the children's programme, amounts to an expenditure of 85 cents per child, by some calculations... an enormous challenge.

Programme 4 has also been allocated R7.1 million, to meet the challenge of existing disability targets as well as the finalising of the Draft National Disability Policy. A 2007 Community Survey indicates that there are an estimated 1.9 million people living with a disability in South Africa. This constitutes approximately 4 per cent of the total population...another enormous challenge!

In June 2009 the minister referred to an immediate deliverable of the department being the establishment of a fund for women's empowerment aimed at enabling women to start their own businesses, as well as assisting NGOs and civil society in the undertaking of women empowerment programmes....very exciting! To what extent has this fund been established and what financial resources have or will be dedicated to it.

Taking into account the limited financial resources and human resource capacity of the new department...and the enormous scope of its mandate, the ACDP can see why many doubt its potential to succeed. The allocation of R97.8 million is not even one per cent of the country's budget."