Date: 17/08/2005
Source: Ministry of Social Development
Title: Skweyiya: Media briefing on outcome of workshop on Beijing platform
Notes by the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, at a media briefing on the outcome of the two day review and strategy workshop on the Beijing platform and way forward for social development sector on gender based issues
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the second decade of freedom has given us a chance to review progress made in mainstreaming gender issues. Part of our ideals of advancing our democratic state, which is united in diversity, is the review of the Beijing Platform for Action.
At a workshop held the past two days (15 – 16 August) we met the national and provincial departments of Social Development to identify gender issues that are important to the social development sector
This workshop also sought to decide on how to advance gender issues within the sector and champion the cause of equality for everyone especially women and children.
Our Constitution also reaffirms the creation of equality and equity, founded on the principles of the Freedom Charter, which promotes harmonious partnership between men and women, boys and girls, young and old.
Violence against women and children still reappears at unacceptable levels. And indeed, we need a co-ordinated response to the needs of women and children, especially the rural poor. In addressing gender issues, we will embark on conducting research to understand better the needs of our communities and put them at the centre of our development programmes.
We also need to make practical steps to ensure improved and quality services to people with disabilities.
Our review of the Beijing +10 also informs us that despite progress made in improving women’s access to services, there are areas with deficiencies.
Of course, creation of solid partnerships with all sectors, government, churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based 0rganisations (FBOs) and civil society at large will assist in, for example, ensuring women’s access to training historically reserved for men, such as science, engineering, and technology studies.
We fully put our weight behind recommendations made by this two-day workshop, more so because they will accelerate gender mainstreaming while also ensuring better co-ordination.
These key recommendations also include:
Institutionalisation of Gender Focal Points (GFPs)
We must advance vigorously the adoption and implementation of the Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines, through Head of Social Development and MinMec. On the same breath, a National Policy Framework on gender will be implemented in the sector.
Leadership, advocacy and capacity training
Senior managers at all levels will provide clear and visible commitment to gender issues and respond accordingly to challenges identified. This also includes extensively training on gender for senior managers and middle managers, as well as partners in the non-governmental sector.
The recommendations of this milestone workshop also touched on the aspect of monitoring progress at national, provincial and local level of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
As recommended, indeed, social issues of international concern, like migration, often have a clear gender dimension and should thus be incorporated in bi- and multi-country engagements
All these efforts are aimed at building a South African that truly belongs to all, united in diversity. In due course, they will be presented at the next HSD and MinMec meetings for consideration and adoption.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
17 August 2005
Source: Ministry of Social Development
Title: Skweyiya: Media briefing on outcome of workshop on Beijing platform
Notes by the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, at a media briefing on the outcome of the two day review and strategy workshop on the Beijing platform and way forward for social development sector on gender based issues
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the second decade of freedom has given us a chance to review progress made in mainstreaming gender issues. Part of our ideals of advancing our democratic state, which is united in diversity, is the review of the Beijing Platform for Action.
At a workshop held the past two days (15 – 16 August) we met the national and provincial departments of Social Development to identify gender issues that are important to the social development sector
This workshop also sought to decide on how to advance gender issues within the sector and champion the cause of equality for everyone especially women and children.
Our Constitution also reaffirms the creation of equality and equity, founded on the principles of the Freedom Charter, which promotes harmonious partnership between men and women, boys and girls, young and old.
Violence against women and children still reappears at unacceptable levels. And indeed, we need a co-ordinated response to the needs of women and children, especially the rural poor. In addressing gender issues, we will embark on conducting research to understand better the needs of our communities and put them at the centre of our development programmes.
We also need to make practical steps to ensure improved and quality services to people with disabilities.
Our review of the Beijing +10 also informs us that despite progress made in improving women’s access to services, there are areas with deficiencies.
Of course, creation of solid partnerships with all sectors, government, churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based 0rganisations (FBOs) and civil society at large will assist in, for example, ensuring women’s access to training historically reserved for men, such as science, engineering, and technology studies.
We fully put our weight behind recommendations made by this two-day workshop, more so because they will accelerate gender mainstreaming while also ensuring better co-ordination.
These key recommendations also include:
Institutionalisation of Gender Focal Points (GFPs)
We must advance vigorously the adoption and implementation of the Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines, through Head of Social Development and MinMec. On the same breath, a National Policy Framework on gender will be implemented in the sector.
Leadership, advocacy and capacity training
Senior managers at all levels will provide clear and visible commitment to gender issues and respond accordingly to challenges identified. This also includes extensively training on gender for senior managers and middle managers, as well as partners in the non-governmental sector.
The recommendations of this milestone workshop also touched on the aspect of monitoring progress at national, provincial and local level of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
As recommended, indeed, social issues of international concern, like migration, often have a clear gender dimension and should thus be incorporated in bi- and multi-country engagements
All these efforts are aimed at building a South African that truly belongs to all, united in diversity. In due course, they will be presented at the next HSD and MinMec meetings for consideration and adoption.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
17 August 2005
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