This document outlines a framework for gender mainstreaming within local government. It provides guidelines for the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG), the provincial departments of local government, South African Development Community (SALGA), Traditional Leaders as well as all municipalities in playing their respective roles with regard to gender mainstreaming. The aims are: (i) integrate gender into the key priority areas for local government as contained in its five-year strategic plan, (ii) propose gender mainstreaming measures for key programs within the local government, (iii) provide for women's empowerment, (iv) give effect to the role of the DPLG to provide policy guidelines, support, and monitor and evaluate implementation, (v) provide an implementation plan; specify indicators and mechanisms for evaluation and restructuring. The objectives of the Framework are: (i) guide local government in developing appropriate policies and programmes, (ii) provide strategic interventions to facilitate gender policy implementation in the Provinces and Local Government, (iii) promote the integration of gender equity and equality, and women's empowerment in local government development programmes and service delivery, (iv) raise awareness on the constitutional and the developmental roles and responsibilities of local government stakeholders as development agents, (v) articulate local government's response to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, in line with South Africa's National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality, (vi) entrench gender analysis as a fundamental requirement for local government planning, programme development and implementation, (vii) provide a common approach in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions at the sphere of local government, (xiii) alert stakeholders of local government about the gender implications of their work, (ix) contribute to the development of municipal management performance systems by introducing gender-sensitive indicators. In addition, it addresses the following issues that relate to power relations between women and men: (i) gender and HIV and AIDS, (ii) safety, including gender-based violence. To ensure that gender mainstreaming is achieved, the policy framework provides for the development of policies and the implementation of plans at all levels of local government. Based on the National Gender Framework, this Framework also advocates for institutional arrangements, in particular, the Gender Focal Points in municipalities. The Framework also requires that all these processes be budgeted for, with clear stipulation of performance targets. A checklist to clarify the approach on how to achieve gender equality has also been attached. Generic indicators have been put forward to assist local government role players in the drawing up of their policies and implementation plans. This policy framework includes an implementation plan, which is designed to give effect to the key priority areas contained herein. A glossary of key gender concepts is included at the end of the document.
جنوب أفريقيا · 2011-01-01