SOUTH AFRICA: COUNTRY REPORT Strengthening Women Capacities in Administration, Governance and Leadership: 20-22 February 2012. Tangier, Morocco

Presentation Outline South Africa: Background Vision for Women’s Empowerment International Obligations Political Will Legislative Framework to Domesticate International Instruments South African Public Service Gender Equality Strategic Framework for the Public Service Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework for the Public Service Other initiatives in the SA Public Service This was aimed at providing a consistent approach and focus across the Public Service regarding Disability Management. The Public Service’s strategic approach to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace and in society is a broad and generic framework which is descriptive in nature.

South Africa at a glance

South Africa: Background President of the Republic: Mr. Jacob Zuma Deputy President: Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe Legislative Capital City: Cape Town and Administrative: Pretoria Population: 48 687 000 (Source: Statistics South Africa, July 2008) Population groups: African, Indian/Asian, Coloured & White Provinces: 9 (Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West & Western Cape) Official Languages: 11 ( English, Afrikaans, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, SePedi, Sesotho, isiSwati, isiZulu, isiXhosa & isiNdebele) Estimated women in the total population: 52.2 % Economically Active Population among women is 45.8%

Vision for Women’s Empowerment The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996 In the founding provisions, Chapter 1: 1.(a) states that SA is founded on “Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms”; 1(b) on “Non-racialism and non-sexism” In the Bill of Rights, Chapter 2: 7 (1) states that the “Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom” Bill of Rights, Chapter 7, 9 (1) to 9 (5) refers to the clause on Equality The Constitution regards equality as a non-derogable right to protection against unfair discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or social origin, sex, religion, marital status, pregnancy religion, disability or language

International Obligations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)-1975 The Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, 1995 United Nations Millennium Declaration and its Development Goals (MDGs) The International Convention on Population Development AU Heads of States Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa SADC Heads of States Declaration on Gender and Development and its Addendum on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children The Commonwealth Plan of Action on Gender Equality 2005-2015

Political Will President Mandela (the first demographically elected president) stated in his Inaugural Speech April 1994: “It is vitally important that all structures of government, including the President himself, should understand this fully: that freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression. All of us must take this on board, that the objectives of the Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) will not have been realised unless we see in visible and practical terms that the condition of women in our country has radically changed for the better, and that they have been empowered to intervene in all spheres of life as equals with any other member of society”

Legislative Framework South Africa has put in place a forward looking legislative framework regarding protection of women’s rights Legislation geared towards advancing women’s rights include: The Constitution, 108 of 1996 The Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995 Basic Conditions of Employment Act,75 of 1997 The Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998 The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 4 of 2000 The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act,2001 The Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998 White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service,1995

Policy Environment The development of the National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality – Cabinet Adopted in 2000 The Minister for Public Service and Administration is mandated to transform the Public Service and in line with this, the transformation of the Public Service includes meeting the needs of the State towards a non-racist and non-sexist society Minister for Public Service and Administration adopted the Cabinet approved target of 30% representation of women in Senior Management positions, in line with the SADC target of 30% women in political and decision-making positions In 2005, Cabinet reviewed this target to 50% women in Senior Management positions in the Public Service by March 2009

Government Policies Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997 specifically deals with conditions of employment and benefits in terms of equal pay, and leave for: Paid Maternity Leave- 4 months Family Responsibility Leave -5 Days Skills Development Act and the Employment Equity Act deal with issues related to Special Measures for Women Advancement

South African Public Service National Departments: 37 Provincial Departments: 104 Departments (in 9 Provinces) Government Employees: (Dec 2008)- 1 241 047 Women employees constitute 55.6%, Women at Senior Management 34.3%

Gender Equality Strategic Framework The Gender Equality Strategic Framework is a concerted effort to advancing and fast tracking the achievement of set targets through addressing several challenges faced by women in the workplace. This Strategic Framework for the Public Service is aimed at achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality in the workplace. The strategy strongly emphasizes the advancement of women in the belief that gender equality cannot be achieved until and unless women have been empowered. The Strategic Framework is premised on increasing representation of, and participation by women in all work place activities, and also increasing access to opportunities for employment, skills development and upward mobility in the workplace. It encourages the removal and elimination of all barriers to entry, advancement and development of women in the Public Service.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT A VISION FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMRNT To create a transformed, inclusive Public Service that is free of discrimination, inequalities and barriers to self reliance. CREATING A NON-SEXIST, NON-RACIST AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT INITIATIVES CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES Enabling Environment Equality of opportunities Mainstreaming of Gender Barrier free Workplace 4 Critical Pillars of Action for Promoting Gender Equality 10 Core Principles underpinning Gender Equality LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AS A FOUNDATION

Purpose of the Strategic Framework Achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality in the workplace and removal of barriers of access to upward mobility for women employees Ensuring a better life for all women through improved and accelerated service delivery by the Public Service through ensuring that the needs of women have been included in the mainstream of activities Ensuring an inclusive Public Service through the achievement of equity/parity targets based on the premise of “beyond just numbers” and the location of women’s empowerment and gender equality at the core of the transformation process within the Public Service

10 Core Principles Underpinning the Strategic Framework Focus on all levels of employment, Responding to the needs of women, Representation of women, Equality and non-discrimination, Healthy integration and embracing change, Building Government capacity, Addressing diversity of needs, Human dignity, autonomy, development and empowerment, Barrier-free Public Service, and Collaborative partnerships

4 FUNCTIONAL PILLARS Enabling Environment – Creating an enabling environment that is conducive for promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality. Equality of Opportunities – Ensuring the achievement of equity in the Public Service through the equalization of opportunities and treatment, as well as adherence to Affirmative Action measures. Gender Mainstreaming – this involves mainstreaming gender issues into all policies, projects, programmes and day to day work of government. Barrier-free workplace – Creating a barrier free workplace to ensure that women are provided with equal chances for empowerment and develop through the removal of physical, attitudinal, social, economic and psychological barriers.

4 Process Pillars from the HRD Strategy Capacity Development Initiatives (individual): These initiatives are represented in those activities which add value in strengthening the ability to build human capital. Organisational Systems and Support Initiatives (institution): The success of the Gender Equality Strategy in the Public Service depends on the extent to which pertinent organisational support structures and systems in place are properly utilised. Governance and institutional arrangements Initiatives (horizontal and vertical network): Refer to the manner in which the Gender Equality Strategy will be promoted, governed and supported in the Public Service. It is the manner in which strategic leadership will be provided in order to ensure successful implementation of the Strategic Framework. Economic Growth and Development Initiatives (regional; continental and global network): These are programmes and initiatives undertaken in skills development, in response to driving the development agenda forward, to increase employability and, in turn, increase the possibility of economic growth to the country.

Head of Department’s 8-Principle Action Plan Transformation for non-sexism Establishing a policy environment Meeting equity targets Creating an enabling environment Gender mainstreaming Empowerment Providing adequate resources Accountability, monitoring and evaluation

Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework Purpose of the Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework: Promote, support and implement the National Skills Development Agenda and the HRD Strategy. Institutionalise the Organisational Performance Management System (OPMS) with emphasis on the Performance Management Development Ensuring a steady supply of “Home Grown” leadership and management skills and their absorption and retention into the public service organisations. To establish the leadership pipeline in the Public Service with targeted training programmes and to predict and identify leaders of tomorrow through a systematic process. Enable an adequate level of human capital performance in Public Sector organisations that ensures effective service delivery in meeting development imperatives.

Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework Purpose of the Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework( continued): To provide a Leadership Development framework which is aligned with the roles and responsibilities of SMS members in the Public Service. To integrate and link the various human resource processes in order to ensure contributing and productive Public Service in all spheres of government. To increase the quality, quantity and diversity of people available for leadership roles at all the SMS levels especially targeting the Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs) such as Women and People with Disabilities at SMS levels. Develop a focused implementation plan which includes external strategic control points.

LEADERSHIP PIPELINE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE ASD (LEVELS 9/10) Junior management service (JMS) - managing self ASD (LEVELS 9/10) DD (LEVELS 11/12) LEADERSHIP PIPELINE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE DDG & DG (LEVELS 15/16) D &CD (LEVELS 13/14) Short term prog Medium term Long term Induction/ orientation/mentoring JMDP Technical / research work Middle management service (MMS) – Managing self and others Induction/ orientation/mentoring/ Khaedu 1 MMDP Senior Management Service (SMS) Managing a function Induction/ orientation/coaching/ 2 SMDP Exchange Executive management service (EMS) Managing the corporation 3 EMDP/GEDP Sabbaticals/Exchange /research work

Annual Public Service Women Management Week These are Women Management Meetings targeting all SMS Women in each department in order to ensure that the 8 principles of the Head of Department’s Action Plan are institutionalised through: Giving women in management a voice and platform to raise barriers to access and entry into management positions, which affect the attainment of the 50% target and hinder the promotion of gender equality, with the Head of Department (whether male or female) Ensuring that the strategic plans and policies of the department reflects the 8 principles espoused to facilitate gender mainstreaming Ensuring that this becomes an Annual Event where women managers have a platform to report-back and measure progress against the institutionalisation of the 8 principles in planning and service delivery within their departments Annual Women Manager’s Award recognising women achiever’s

Women Manager’s Forum The purpose of the Women Manager’s Forum is to create the space for women managers to share experiences, challenges and best practices into and across management within the Public Service. The following activities are encouraged through such a forum: Counselling for leadership skills Networking, providing opportunities for women to network with their peers, exchange views on current trends, identify opportunities to improve service delivery. Providing resources for each other and building on such. Mentoring and coaching Advocacy Career development Continuing professional development Sharing ideas about the importance of work- life balance

THANK YOU