1. www.salga.org.za BRIEFING TO THE JOINT MULTI-PARTY WOMENS CAUCUS 20 March 2016 Cllr Sindiswa Gomba: National Commissioner SALGA Women’s Commission

2. www.salga.org.za Outline of the Presentation 1)Introduction 2)Terms of Reference of the Women’s Caucus in Council Provincial Status Quo 3)50/50 Campaign & Plan of Action 4)Challenges 5)Recommendations 2

3. www.salga.org.za Introduction & Background 2011: Resolution for municipalities to establish Women’s Caucus as section 79 committees 2012 - 2015: Development and Implementation of a Programme of Action for the SALGA Women’s Commission with emphasis on: a)raising awareness on the different structures that operate at Local Government level notably the SWC, the Women’s Caucus and the SPU b)role clarification for women structures (i) oversight role (ii) capacity building role (iii) advocacy and lobby role (iv) reporting role 3

4. www.salga.org.za TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WOMEN’S CAUCUS IN COUNCIL 4

5. www.salga.org.za Establishment Section 79(1) of the Municipal Structures Act makes provision for the establishment of one or more committees for the effective and efficient performance of its functions or to exercise of any of its powers Established by the Municipal Council with a view to promote Gender Equity and Equality The term of office of the is aligned to serving as a Councillor 5

6. www.salga.org.za Composition All women / female Councillors are members irrespective of political affiliation The Speaker shall convene a Multi-Party meeting to formally establish a Women’s Caucus and the Chairperson will be elected in the first meeting. The Speaker (if female) is not an automatic Chairperson of the Caucus, she only becomes the Chairperson if elected by the Caucus In a case where the Executive Mayor, the Speaker and the Portfolio Head: Special Programmes are male, they CAN remain ex-officio members of the structure and will be invited by the Chairperson of the Caucus on a needs basis. 6

7. www.salga.org.za Objectives of the Women’s Caucus 1)Work towards profile building of women Councillors for effective capacity building 2)Ensure gender mainstreaming and equity within municipal processes 3)Re-affirm and strengthen partnerships and networks that support women in Local Government, other spheres of government and civil society 7

8. www.salga.org.za Objectives of the Women’s Caucus 4)Act as an advisory and consultative body for all women Councilors raising and representing their interests within Municipal Council structures 5)Engage Council and its structures on empowerment issues affecting women in administration, politics and community 6)Facilitate leadership and development for women in Council and its structures as to ensure their effective participation and bargaining 8

9. www.salga.org.za Roles and Functions 1)Lobby the municipality to develop, promote and implement gender policies and thereafter monitor and evaluate the impact of these policies 2)Oversee that the IDP and budget are gender sensitive and that there is optimal women participation in these processes 3)Advise and lobby for municipal interventions to enhance economic growth of women 9

10. www.salga.org.za Roles and Functions 4)Monitor that the municipality reaches its employment equity targets at all levels of decision making 5)Create public awareness about government policies and programmes aimed at the advancement of women and children rights and the rights of the aged 6)Advocate and commission research on the impact of gender policies on women and girl children at the community level 10

11. www.salga.org.za Meetings & Reporting Meetings Meetings of the Women’s Caucus shall be held at least once a quarter Special meetings of the Caucus may be called by the Chairperson to deal with matters that are of an urgent nature or part thereof 11

12. www.salga.org.za Meetings & Reporting Reporting Reports of Women’s Caucus will be submitted to the Council through the Office of the Speaker The Caucus may submit their inputs to the Mayor on any matter in which the views of the Women must be taken into account in the decision-making process of the institution The Mayor will channel such input to the relevant Standing Committee through the Portfolio Councilor or to the Municipal Manager 12

13. www.salga.org.za PROVINCIAL STATUS QUO & PROGRESS TO DATE (Attachment) 13

14. www.salga.org.za 50/50 CAMPAIGN 14

15. www.salga.org.za National Representation of Women (Source IEC:10 March 2016) Province PRWard Total FemaleMaleTotalFemaleMaleTotal Eastern Cape3674317982754407151,513 Free State16419535997220317676 Gauteng2303125421933155081,050 KwaZulu-Natal4305059351516778281,763 Limpopo2863426282203235431,171 Mpumalanga240226466138264402868 North West215234449129254383832 Northern Cape9711821571123194409 Western Cape155263418139248387805 Total2,1842,6264,8101,4132,8644,2779,087 15

16. www.salga.org.za Commitment Commitment at the 2015 National Lekgotla: To further strengthen the participation and representation of women in local governance and that would include integrating the 50/50 notion in SALGA governance programmes (for a gender balanced group of decision-makers at all levels) Lobbying and supporting processes for the review and amendment of legislation and policies pertinent to the gender equality debate, in particular, the Municipal Structures Act (1998) and the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act (2000), to be aligned to the 50/50 quota To support advocacy, lobby groups, debate and discussions, education interventions, proposals and submissions 16

17. www.salga.org.za Plan of Action The following action points are recommended: Roundtable with Political Parties The purpose of the roundtable will be to influence the political party lists Media Platforms The briefings will touch on a number of issues namely the 50/50 re-launch as well as voter education. Key stakeholders to form part of panel discussions include the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Identified platforms include the New Age Breakfast Briefing 17

18. www.salga.org.za Plan of Action Roadshows −The purpose of the roadshows is to conduct voter education, encourage women to vote for other women on the lists as part of encouraging 50/50 representation, including awareness on the importance of having women in leadership positions as well as educating women about women structures in Local Government. −Ensuring increasing numbers of women participate in public hearings and policy development processes. 18

19. www.salga.org.za Challenges The following implementation challenges have been noted: –Municipalities regarding the establishment of women caucus (Section 79 portfolio committees) as an option (location of the women’s caucus remains a challenge in terms of implementation of programmes) –Structure not taken seriously by municipal leadership –Sexism from male counter parts in executive positions 19

20. www.salga.org.za Challenges Implementation challenges cont. –Lack of financial and human resources to run programmes –Lack of support from political heads and SPU administrators –Lack of commitment from chairperson of women –No clear programme of action –Poor attendance 20

21. www.salga.org.za Recommendations Women caucus programmes to be located in the Mayor’s office with a budget SALGA Women Commissioners of metros and districts submitting progress report Quarterly to Council Submitting and tabling Resolutions of the Provincial Makgotla and National Lekgotla to Governance Structures including, ie Working Groups, NEC, Conferences and other IGR structures ie the Women’s League and Municipal Councils. 21

22. www.salga.org.za Recommendations Conducting Workshops for Women’s Caucus (information sessions) Campaigning and lobbying for gender mainstreaming responsive and sensitive budgets (IDPs) Facilitating skills development (training and capacity building) of Women to ensure their meaningful participation and involvement in the socio economic development of the Province. 22

23. www.salga.org.za Thank you We still have a long way to go…! 23