Political Analysis: Gender Equality In South Africa

1799 Words8 Pages

Political analysis: gender equality
Gender equality bill
Marietjie Basson
19193688
29 August 2017
Introduction
Gender equality is when women and men in the same society can enjoy the same rights and opportunities. They are seen as equal in front of the law.
In South Africa gender equality is a public policy that receives a lot of attention. The reason for this is the fact that inequalities always seem to make their way into the social and professional lives of citizens (De Nobrega, 2014). To understand this policy more thoroughly an evaluation of the Gender Equality Bill will be made (De Nobrega, 2014). The effectiveness of the Bill and its relation to South Africa will be brought into question (De Nobrega, 2014).
Background information regarding …show more content…

The basis of the bill which is being discussed is the constitution of South Africa, 1996 and also other statutory bodies which have made their way into our legal system. In the case of gender equality, the bill, the constitution and the statutory bodies have focused on the improving of female rights (De Nobrega, 2014). Bodies such as the feminist group and the women’s rights movements sought for the expansion of political and civil freedom for women (De Nobrega, 2014). Their achievements thus include democratic participation and participation in legal and constitutional reform (De Nobrega, 2014).
Structures such as mentioned above have been put in place to help promote gender equality amongst the citizens of South Africa: the constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, the sexual offences act 2007, the municipal systems act 2000, the electoral act 1998, the basic conditions of employment 1997,the promotion of equality and prevention of unfair discrimination act …show more content…

First the minister must co-ordinate a comprehensive process for reviewing and assessing current legislation and policies. Every law and policy must undergo a strict gender analysis and focus on the extent to which it respond to the determinants that protect gender equality and empowerment of woman. A key element of this process should identify gap analysis where laws and policies are quite or do not respond to gender-based challenges of political, economic and social levels. This gap must be translated to comply with the provision of the Gender Equality Act (Green Paper, 2014).
Secondly, the ministry will have to supervise a wide range of inclusive and partaking consultation processes. This process will ensure that the widest range of gender holders, interest groups and external role players is consulted at national, provincial, and local level. Attention must be paid to the public, private, political, labor, faith-based, broader civil society and international development partners. The consultation process must be informed by the realization of the importance and seriousness of the task, but at the same time make sure that no voice is missed (Green Paper,

Open Document