Description
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is an independent state institution established in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution Act no 108 of 1996 of the Republic of South Africa. The CGE is charged with a broad mandate to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality in South Africa. Part of its mandate is to monitor the implementation of the international and regional conventions, covenants and charters signed, acceded to, and ratified by South Africa, that impact directly or indirectly on gender equality. These instruments include amongst
others the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), arising from the Millennium Declaration, adopted by 189 of 192 member states of the United Nations. The Declaration identified peace, security and development, including environment, human rights and
governance, as the main global development challenges. The Declaration resolved amongst other things, to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women as an effective way to combat poverty, hunger and disease, and stimulate sustainable
development. The declaration consolidated a set of inter-connected goals into a global agenda in the form of eight MDGs1:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV and AIDs, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure sustainable development
8. Develop global relationships for development.
2010 is the year during which UN and other international activities have been organised to commemorate these global commitments. The UN General Assembly will hold a MDGs Summit from 20-22 September 2010 in New York, to take stock of member states?
successes, constraints, challenges and best practices. The summit will be preceded by interactive interventions from other institutions outside governments.This report serves to assess from a gender perspective the progress made by South Africa with regard to
these commitments. While this includes a review of state interventions in pursuit of goal three of the MDGs, on gender equality and women empowerment, the report equally assesses the gendered impact of the state?s progress regarding the remaining seven goals? targets. The CGE will, in accordance with its mandate, share this report and its recommendations with Parliament and a broad range of stakeholders in South Africa. Through its continuous monitoring and other forms of engagement with the state, the CGE will seek to influence and strengthen the state?s understanding of the gendered implications of each of the MDGs. The CGE?s intention is to advocate for improved policy formulation, budgeting and programme implementation to address the gaps and challenges highlighted in this report, impacting on the quality of life of women and girl children in South Africa.
