Hon Chairperson, hon members, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, today we are tabling the South African Development Community, SADC, Protocol on Gender and Development to the National Assembly for consideration. The SADC heads of state and government summit which took place in August 2005 mandated the SADC secretariat to develop a draft protocol on gender and development. Following a long process which included participation of governments and civil society organisations in the region, the protocol was drafted and adopted by the SADC heads of state on 17 August 2008 at their summit in Sandton, South Africa.
The Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities has had an opportunity to engage on the protocol and recognise the value and the positive impact it has on the lives of women in the SADC region as a whole.
It is important that government strengthens its commitment to national, regional and international legislative measures aimed at addressing gender inequality and women empowerment. The objectives of the protocol is to advance and promote gender equality by ensuring accountability by all SADC member states; to provide a forum for sharing best practices; to facilitate peer review and support; and to provide a SADC legal instrument for advancing gender equality.
Its main provisions require member states to enact laws and enshrine in their constitutions gender, disability, equality promotion and mainstreaming. It also requires member states to enact laws that prohibit gender and disability discrimination.
Progress made in South Africa in terms of the protocol is as follows: The Constitution of the Republic prohibits all forms of discrimination. Section 9 of the Constitution promotes gender equality; section 12 and other laws address gender issues. Section 187 provides for affirmative action.
Lastly, the protocol is consistent with international law and South Africa's international obligations. The subject matter deals with issues for which South Africa has already assumed international obligations. We are of the view that the protocol does not conflict with, but is rather complimentary to those international obligations. Funding and monitoring are critical if we are to achieve our goals.
I wish to move that this House consider and adopt the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development as tabled. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Southern African Development Community, SADC, Protocol on Gender and Development approved.