Closing Session of the 2023 Legislative Sector Gender Summit
03 August 2023, Zimbali, KZN
Program Director
Chairperson of the NCOP, Hon. Amos Masondo
Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Hon Sylvia Lucas
Deputy Speaker of the NA
House Chairpersons of both the NA and NCOP
Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Provincial Legislatures
Our Esteemed Guests and Dignitaries
Over the past two days, we have had the opportunity to come together, not just as the Legislative Sector, but as a multi-stakeholder platform, to discuss how we can further advance the struggle for gender transformation through enhancing the legislative and oversight role of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures.
I want to thank all our various guests, panellists, and moderators for having agreed to take time and to contribute to the important engagements that we have had throughout this Summit.
I also want to thank all our delegates, Honourable MPs and MPLs, organs of civil society, the Judiciary and the Executive branch for your participation and enhancement of the discussions and debates of the Summit.
The Summit has given us an opportunity to conduct a multi-dimensional assessment of the extent to which the South African Legislative Sector, has used its legislative and oversight mandate, to ensure meaningful and impactful progress, on gender transformation in South Africa. We have also used this critical review, to identify key issues and areas where improvements should be made.
In assessing the success of the Summit, we need to look at the specific recommendations that have been made, but also to go beyond that and conduct some due diligence exercises to determine the implementation capacity and space for the Legislative Sector going forward.
While our Constitution confers specific mandates and powers to the Legislative Sector, to exercise oversight and pass legislation, to what extent will our own institutional inadequacies impact our capacity to meaningfully impact the gender transformation agenda. Given the various concerns that have been raised about the capacity of the State to plan and execute for impact, the Legislative Sector has therefore been called upon to “step up” and ensure that both planning and implementation are monitored and to ensure the qualitative impact on gender transformation. It is therefore crucial that we strengthen our legislative framework and build the necessary capacity to effectively address gender inequality and ensure equal opportunities for all.
Furthermore, it has become clear that a gender-responsive parliamentary oversight framework is be essential. We need to establish mechanisms that provide comprehensive analysis and scrutiny of gender-related issues, ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into legislative processes and decision-making.
Program Director,
Through the daily overviews of our discussions of the past two days, we have the confidence to assert that the Summit has succeeded in laying the basis for a long-term vision and clear role for the South African Legislative Sector in the gender transformation landscape of our country.
The summit was also an important opportunity for us to review the progress that both the Administration and the legislative sector have made in the implementation of the recommendations of the High-level Panel, and the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
In this regard, I must commend the Summit for its ability to take a deep dive into the practical issues of implementation of the NSP, including scrutiny of the various sectoral performance targets. Panellists and speakers have also implored us to pay special attention and evaluate the effectiveness of the Thuthukani Centers for rape victims, assessing whether they have adequately met the needs of survivors and provided the necessary support. Such a review should prioritize the safety and well-being of victims, aiming to establish a robust system that empowers survivors and holds perpetrators accountable.
The summit has also pointed to the Sector’s imperative to review existing legislation to identify gaps and areas where these laws can be strengthened to better support gender transformation and promote justice for survivors of gender-based violence.
Fellow Delegates,
To promote gender transformation, we should also recognize the crucial role played by Multi-Party Women Caucuses in Parliament and Provincial Legislatures. Their participation and influence in lawmaking processes should be enhanced, ensuring that the perspectives and concerns of women are adequately represented and addressed. Additionally, we need to shift from mere representation in numbers to outcomes-based monitoring of gender transformation, measuring the actual impact of our policies and actions.
Through the recommendations of the Summit, we have made a case for gender mainstreaming across all programs of parliament, legislatures and government at all levels, fostering synergies between national, provincial, and municipalities. Gender transformation targeting should be an integral tool in policy planning and implementation processes at every level and sphere, ensuring a coherent approach to outcomes.
Perhaps one of the most important considerations of the Summit is the need for the Sector to put in place mechanisms for the implementation of a proper gender-responsive budget analysis (GRBA). The sector has the responsibility and the power, on behalf of the electorate, to hold the government accountable for budget allocation and expenditure that supports gender mainstreaming and transformation indicators. By doing so, we can address the systemic inequalities that hinder gender equality.
The sector should look at policy and institutional arrangements that can ensure that the inclusion of GRBA becomes a mandatory component in the budgeting process.
We have agreed that Legislatures should work towards developing specific gender transformation indicators that are intertwined with government planning exercises. These indicators can measure progress on key gender-related goals, such as closing gender pay gaps, increasing women’s representation in decision-making positions, and reducing gender-based violence. By setting clear indicators, progress can be monitored effectively.
Program Director,
I am glad that the Summit has made strong recommendations on the historical socio-economic issues that perpetuate gender inequality, including the current practical and policies for land allocation and land use. The sector is called up to exercise effective oversight to rectify this inequality and ensure equal access to land for men and women. This should ensure that the intended objectives to transform the economy, are realised as intended by our policies on land reform.
We must continue to work towards breaking down existing barriers and ensuring that women have equal access to these fundamental rights.
Universal access to health, sexual reproductive rights, education, and economic opportunities for women must be prioritized, as they are essential for achieving gender equality.
In addition, the Sector must ensure that a gendered perspective is adopted when looking at access to justice, examining the role of the courts and law enforcement agencies. By incorporating a gender lens into the processes of justice, we can ensure fair and equitable outcomes. Practical examples from South Africa should be explored to highlight successful initiatives that promote gender-responsive justice.
Before I sit down, I had thought that we should weigh in a bit on an issue raised here yesterday about the need to not deal with gender issues through exclusion and that we recognise the need to include men and their experience of gender oppression in our society.
In the struggle for gender transformation, it is important to recognize that both men and women play significant roles. While it is true that men are not only perpetrators of gender oppression, and that they can also be victims of gender relations, the negative experiences of gender relations between men and women are not the same.
Without viewing this as a competition about whose plight we talk more about, it is crucial that we view gender transformation as a collective effort involving all genders.
There is indeed a place and role for men in the struggle for gender transformation and equality, including as it relates to the specific oppression of women. Men should not be fearful of supporting women’s struggles or feel under attack during discussions on gender transformation. They must see their active participation as progressive. Women should also view the physical and emotional abuse of men and young boys and their role in it in a similar vein. Men can contribute effectively by educating themselves about gender issues, unlearning harmful behaviours, and promoting respectful and egalitarian attitudes. They can also join forces with women-led initiatives, engage in dialogue, and collaborate on solutions that address the root causes of gender inequalities.
I hope that the outcomes of this Summit will add another important avenue for us to intensify the struggle for gender transformation as a societal partnership. The past two days have certainly given us a good basis to improve our focus and machismo to make our own contributions as a sector in this regard. In this endeavour, we must succeed. I thank you.
Source: Parliament of South Africa