President Cyril Ramaphosa wants his administration to introduce law that will clamp down on state institutions and public officials who do not take the empowerment of women seriously.
Ramaphosa told MPs on Thursday that the cabinet was working on a bill to ensure consequence management and corrective measures are put in place by government institutions and that people are held accountable for failing to implement gender-related requirements.
He was speaking in the National Council of Provinces during an oral question-and-answer session with MPs.
If there ever is a structure that is put up where there are men only, you must know that it’s illegal and unacceptable — and where such mistakes are made, it is immediately corrected
— President Cyril Ramaphosa
“To make sure there is follow-through and the best is done to lead to the empowerment of women in government, cabinet is looking at legislation which will be dubbed the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said the bill, which is being processed through the cabinet, will be binding on all government and public-sector institutions.
“The bill will make sure there is consequence management for those who are in charge of certain tasks and functions in government, if they do not do what is required of them to enhance and foster the empowerment of women.
“We are now going to put in place a measure and instrument that will ensure that people will sit up, listen and act to empower the women of our country.
“This is a must; it’s not a choice. It has to be done because the empowerment of the women in South Africa is about empowering the nation and if we want to ensure that this nation progresses, we must empower the women of South Africa.”
Responding to a question on government’s progress in institutionalising gender equality across departments, provinces and districts through gender-responsive planning, budgeting and reporting, Ramaphosa said the empowerment of women is top of mind for his government.
“We have made it a priority and an area of focus. It starts with embracing a protocol, practice and discipline that says there shall be equality between men and women within the structures of the governing party.”
Ramaphosa said the governing ANC had deemed it compulsory that women should enjoy fair and equal representation in all state institutions.
“If there ever is a structure that is put up where there are men only, you must know that it’s illegal and unacceptable — and where such mistakes are made, it is immediately corrected.”
So important is the issue that the matter is usually raised by men before the women, he said.
“Men have taken the struggle of empowering women upon themselves, as I have because I see the empowerment of women as my struggle as well, I see it as something that has to be done.”
He said he has always maintained that 40% of procurement must be set aside for women-owned businesses.
“There should be gender empowerment and this is now going to be a law. The empowerment of not only black people but the empowerment of women, regardless of their race, is important to us because women play a key role in the life of our country and families.”
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