Commission For Gender Equality

Commission For Gender Equality

6/18/2025, 2:20:44 PM

On the 14th of June 2025, the Western Cape office hosted an educational programme targeting young men in the City of Cape Town, specifically in Langa township. This programme was in collaboration with #LangaforMen organisation. The objective of the programme was about Men's mental health issues. CGE was there to educate men and to create awareness on the linkage between gender equality and gender-based violence, by which men were encouraged to be open to understanding gender equality and gender rights, domestic violence and sexual abuse laws as a measure to avoid themselves being perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/18/2025, 1:57:49 PM

The Mpumalanga Office held a Stakeholder Engagement on the effective functioning of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Rapid Response Task Teams (RRTT's) in municipalities around the Mpumalanga Province. The engagement was attended by officials from all 3 District Municipalities, namely Nkangala, Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande District Municipalities, Mpumalanga Office of the Premier, officials from local municipalities and members of Civil Society. The Mpumalanga Provincial Manager, Molta Mavuso gave the mandate of the CGE and the purpose of the engagement. From the presentations and discussions, it was apparent that RRTT's have been established in all municipalities though some are not functional. Some of the challenges raised include lack of funding and resources for RRTT's, shortage of personnel, inadequate capacity building programmes and no participation from key stakeholders such as the South African Police Services, Department of Social Development and Department of Justice.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/19/2025, 4:53:58 AM

This morning, the Spokesperson will be on Metro FM to answer the question: Where should men run in the face of challenges? Tune in on: https://www.metrofm.co.za/metro-fm/listen-live/

Commission For Gender Equality

6/18/2025, 2:46:47 PM

The KwaZulu Natal engagement with religious leaders on gender-based violence witnessed meaningful inputs and contributions through deliberations. The engagement heard presentations from the CGE team, with the Deputy Chairperson Prabashni Subrayan-Naidoo sharing on the purpose of the engagement and the Provincial Manager, Zanele Ncwane providing the contextual overview. In the delivery of the purpose, DC Subrayan-Naidoo stated, "We are gathered here today because the CGE recognizes that GBVF is a serious issue in KZN. There are many unreported cases or incidents of GBV, particularly intimate partner violence and rape", further stressing that the CGE recognises the role religious leaders play in addressing social issues, promoting peace and fostering community development due to their trusted position within the community. In her contextual.overview on the state of gender-base violence in the province, Ncwane took the room through the meaning and structures of GBV, citing abuse such as financial, spiritual and emotional abuse. "It is in essence, a violation of the right to safety, dignity, equality, and bodily integrity", she continued. Ncwane continued to share cases of GBV perpetrated by leaders in the church, including tgat of a Pastor who raped over 13 children aged between ages 5 - 17. Thando Gasa of Umajaa addressed the room on the intersection of religion and Gender-Based Violence. Referencing the book of 2 Samuel 13:1-22, she brings to attention how the issue of GBV has been in existence since the beginning of time and how such scriptures are hardly read. She further spoke to how leaders use scripture and the pulpit to preach harmful messages through the misinterpretation and manipulation of scriptures. The engagement was also inclusive of groups discussions - Group 1 looked at Faith and Accountability, Group 2: Challenging Violent Interpretations to Restore the True Message of Faith and Group 3: Identifying Best Practices and Gaps All groups have feedback to the main plenary session on their respective discussions and these were further deliberated upon for clear resolutions and to cement the core messages. More sessions of this nature were called upon, it was advised that a follow-up session would also be needed to measure the progress of implementing the deliberated issues to build a more sustainable and healthy environment within the church.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/19/2025, 7:06:39 AM

On 12th and 13th June, the Western Cape Office participated in the Social Inclusion for Universities dialogue hosted by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in the Bellville Compass. The programme is part of a continued outreach initiative that seeks to assess the role played by institutions of higher learning in the promotion of gender and inclusion as part of institutional learning, planning and strategical objective. The department of Higher Education at National level attended the session and tabled their support programmes and policy development as an oversight body. Commissioner Mfundo Nomvungu tabled the CGE's reports on the institutionalisation of gender equality through gender mainstreaming.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/18/2025, 3:02:18 PM

The Gauteng Provincial Office hosted a Gender and Development Workshop on Urban Agriculture in Johannesburg this afternoon. This event explored gender dynamics in urban agriculture, emphasizing food security, sustainability, and inclusive development. Urban agriculture is increasingly recognized as a solution to food insecurity, unemployment, and urban poverty across South Africa’s metropolitan areas. The workshop aligned with the City of Johannesburg’s Food Resilience Policy, which is rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger—to enhance local food systems, however, gender disparities persist. Women, children, homeless individuals, persons with disabilities, and other designated groups continue to face barriers in accessing land, governance structures, funding, and skills development within urban farming. The workshop thus provided a platform for dialogue and strategic action, ensuring greater diversity, inclusion, and transformation in the sector. Highlighting CGE’s 2024 Research on Women Farmers, a key focus of the session focused on the research study, Do Women Reap What They Sow?, which examines gender inequalities in agriculture, the challenges women farmers face, and opportunities for transformation. The findings informed the discussions, shape policy recommendations, and contribute to a more equitable urban agricultural landscape. Aligning with the Global and National Goals, this initiative also supports SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, and 11, focusing on poverty reduction, health, gender equality, and sustainable cities. By integrating gender considerations into urban agriculture, CGE is pushing for equitable policies that foster empowerment, resilience, and economic opportunities for marginalized groups. Key Participants & Collaborative Approach. The workshop brought together local government officials, researchers, civil society organizations, farmers, and policymakers, fostering a multisectoral effort to advance gender-responsive food security strategies. CGE remains committed to mainstreaming gender equality across socio-economic sectors. This workshop was an opportunity to promote sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen inclusive policies, and drive real change in urban farming.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/19/2025, 1:54:30 PM

The Limpopo office conducted an outreach and information session at Tŝiyane village in Ga-Mphahlele in collaboration with the Capricorn District Municipality and Tšiyane Drop in Centre. The focus of the outreach was to educate on gender equality and different legislative frameworks that impact on gender equality. The community was also educated on gender based violence and femicide and the role of the Commission in addressing complaints that are rated to gender discrimination.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/19/2025, 9:37:59 AM

The Commission is attending the North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier and Finance for a follow-up oversight meeting with the Office of the Premier over the implementation of the Employment Equity regulations on the appointments of Heads of Provincial Departments and Deputy Director Generals. The Commission will make a presentation on work conducted on ensuring the implementation of the employment equity regulations. Follow the discussions 👉🏽 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19Jc6S9a5A/ Follow the conversation to learn more about the work of the CGE.

Commission For Gender Equality

6/19/2025, 8:16:11 AM

The Eastern Cape Office partnered with Abanebhongo NPO, an NPO for people with disabilities to host a Gender Development and Intersectionality with Disability session in ESihlabeni village in Ngqamakhwe. The session that took place yesterday drew participation from educators, parents of children with disabilities and community leaders and it aimed to empower them on gender development, with emphasis on disability issues and their involvement in community development. The intersectionality between disability and gender-based violence was one of the key focal points of discussion. The Provincial Manager, Nceba Mrwebo spoke to the different forms of disabilities, including non visible disabilities such as autism, stating that people with these disabilities are often overlooked and discriminated against due to a lack of understanding of the nature of the disability. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of gender rights education to ensure that the sector is aware of their rights and available recourse

Commission For Gender Equality

6/18/2025, 1:53:10 PM

The Eastern Cape office, led by Commissioner Leonashia Van Der Merwe attended a June 16 youth commemoration in Cacadu under Chris Hani District to note the actions of the youth of 1976 against the apartheid government that segregated people on race, gender among others. The Office of the Premier and other stakeholders were also in attendance and shared on their respective work done for youth economic empowerment interventions.