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21 April 2009

On the eve of the 2009 elections, the Gender and Elections Consortium, led by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), calls on all South Africans to exercise their right to vote as enshrined in the Constitution.

On 8 April 2009, leaders from key political parties contesting the elections, with the exception of the African National Congress and Congress of the People, who failed to attend, participated in a gender and elections dialogue. At that dialogue, party representatives and participants were presented with a gendered analysis of party manifestos and lists, as well as a gender audit of media coverage of elections related news.

Party representatives were called upon to state why women should vote for their parties, and were questioned on programmes and opportunities created for young women in communities and within political parties to advance. Parties were challenged on the lack of meaningful programmes for the empowerment of rural women, and the failure of the state to address gender based violence.

The issue of women’s representation in political parties, and their ability to champion issues impacting on women was placed on the table, with parties accused of failing to support and promote women in the lower ranks of their parties, and shielding the men at the top of party structures from failing to address gender issues. Parties were challenged at their failure to speak out against and act on violence against gay, lesbian and transgendered communities.

Parties ended their contributions by formally and publicly signing a pledge to uphold the provisions in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Code of Conduct relating to respecting and promoting the right of women to full and equal participation in political activities.

The Gender and Elections Consortium has through the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) secured the accreditation of gender observers, who will be deployed across all nine provinces of the country, to observe Election Day proceedings, from a gender perspective. Observers will be assessing issues such as access to voting stations, means of transport used, any particular challenges experienced in casting ballots, support provided by electoral officers to voters, and assistance provided to pregnant women, people with small children, the aged and those with disabilities. The consortium will compile a gendered analysis of the elections process and share its findings with the IEC and the public at large.

Issued by: Commission for Gender Equality
21 April 2009