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14 October 1994
re: Setting up the Comniission for Gender
Equality
We note with some concern that there has been little talk of
activating the Comnu'ssion for Gender Equality that has been provided
for in the
new constitution.
We are aware, that there is some debate within the
Women's Caucus around whether it should be activated at all as gender
should automatically be a key issue in every other commission that is
set
UP.
We feel, however, that it is of the inmost importance that
the Commission is in fact set up to ensure that gender is an issue at all
levels. 'fhe Commision would serve as a pressure group for all the other
commissions to ensure that all gender-based
inequalities are addressed
immediately.
The Commission for Gender Equality should not serve to
relieve the government of a gender "conscience" nor as a dumping ground into
which all gender issues should then be loaded. Rather it should be an active
force within government. The Commission should look
into women's representation
at all top levels in the country: starting with the National Assembly and then
moving through all the
government ministries and departments. Are women playing
active roles in setting up education and training curricula for
instance.
When women are adequately represented in all leadership
structures, then perhaps the Commisions work is done.
Yours
sincerely
Davine Thaw Thaw
OLIVE (OD &
Training)
cc: Ela Gandhi
Phumzfle Mambo-Ngcuka
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