Presentation to IMFO Seminar on Women in Local Government

By: Ms. Mapatane Kgomo : Chief Director, Local Governance (NW dlgta)

Emperors PalaceDate: 6 and 7 March 2014

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Structure of presentation• Background

• Status quo of gender representation in NW municipalities

• General challenges facing women in local governance

• Proposed measures to overcome the challenges

• Conclusion

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Background • Women emancipation and empowerment has been

highly advocated in government since the start of the new democratic government

• Programmes aimed at women empowerment and gender mainstreaming have been developed within various public institutions and NGOs

• Noticeable strides have been made, especially in terms of female representation in government (positions in parliament, Cabinet, provincial legislatures and councils)

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Background cont…

• Despite all these efforts, gender mainstreaming is still not treated as priority in many government institutions, especially at the local sphere of government

• Women empowerment and issues of gender mainstreaming are still done on an ad-hoc basis and there are no structured plans to address this

• Gender mainstreaming is viewed as an add-on responsibility and is mostly done for compliance

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Background cont...• Women in local government still face adversity in as

far as empowerment and equality is concerned

• Women in local government do not receive adequate skills development and empowerment programs

• There is no platform for women in local government to engage on their advancement, development, and empowerment

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Status quo of gender representation and mainstreaming in NW municipalities

• The NW province has 23 municipalities (4 Districts and 19 Local municipalities)

• The number of wards in the province is 383

• The estimated population in the NW is 3.5 million

• The estimated number of females in the province is 1 730 049

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Gender representation in NW councils

Total number of councillors

Number of women councillors

Number of women mayors

Number of women speakers

Number of women MPAC chairs

918 382 11 out of 23 10 out of 19 (4 are plenary)

2 out of 23

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Gender representation in NW municipalities (administration)

Total number of municipalities

Number of women Municipal Managers

Total number of senior manager posts

Number of women senior managers

23 2 (one currently on suspension)

154 33

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Gender representation in NW ward committees

Total number of ward committees

Number of ward committee members

Number of women ward committee members

383 3830 1745

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Gender representation in NW Traditional authorities

Total number of traditional councils Number of women Dikgosi

54 4

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General challenges facing women in LG• Gender equity in local government progressing very slowly, especially at

senior management level

• Gender equity done on a tokenism basis and for compliance (window dressing)

• Perception that women can only occupy certain positions (some positions reserved for women)

• Women perceived to be weak, emotional, and indecisive and cannot handle pressure

• The LG sector is generally hostile towards women(often not taken seriously, not respected) 11

Proposals on gender mainstreaming in NW local government

• Provinces should establish platforms where issues affecting women in local government can be addressed in a structured manner

• The IDPs of municipalities should clearly reflect plans for gender mainstreaming (concrete, achievable and practical

• Periodic reviews on gender mainstreaming should be

done to track progress and intervene where necessary12

Proposal on the forum

• There is a need for women in local government across all levels (Political, administration, community workers, ward committees at both provincial, district and local levels) to start engaging on issues affecting women in the LG sector and the advancement of women

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Proposal on the forum A forum for Women in Local government is proposed to address the

following: (TOR)

1. Identification of challenges facing women in the sector

2. Development and adoption of strategies aimed at development and advancement of women in LG and TA

3. Self-empowerment programs in terms of leadership and management programs

4. Identification of skills gaps and development of capacity building programs for women in LG

5. Periodic assessment of progress registered on women empowerment in the Local Government and Traditional leadership sector

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Proposal on the forum The forum to be attended by:

1. Female officials in the provincial departments of COGTA

2. Female councillors (Mayors, Speakers, councillors)

3. Female ward committees members

4. Female CDWs

5. Female SALGA officials

6. Female Dikgosi, Bahumagadi, Female Traditional councillors and officials 15

Proposal on the forum • It is proposed that the forum be decentralised to districts due

to the high number of women in the sector

• Each District to identify a woman councillor to chair the forums at district level

• The district forums to meet quarterly and submit reports to the MECs for COGTA

• The provincial forum to twice a year to review reports from the district forums and map a way forward (future planning)

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What women should do• Self-empowerment – study, acquire skills, read,

research, understand!• Assert yourself in your position and be firm• Be yourself (be the woman that you are)• Take yourself seriously so you can be taken seriously• Be organised and always prepared• Support, mentor and empower each other• Do not underestimate yourself / sell yourself short

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Conclusion• There is a need for conscious and deliberate efforts by municipalities

and government in general, to empower and capacitate women through meaningful and concrete programmes in line with the IDPs (through policies)

• There is a need to improve equality in education and skills development – there should be equal opportunities for both men and women on training and education

• Government should create an enabling and conducive environment for women to access the same job opportunities as men- eliminate disadvantaging and discriminating against women; create an effective legislative framework

• It is important for the Bill on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality to be enacted into law as soon as possible to ensure that gender equity and equality is taken seriously. 18

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Thank YouThank You

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