Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, hon members, I just want commend the members of this committee who were able to produce this report - the first of its kind - in this Parliament. The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Representatives of member states gather annually at the United Nations headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide.
The 56th Session of the Commission on Status of Women, CSW, was held from 27 February to 9 March 2012. The priority theme was "The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges". In addition to the priority theme, there were subthemes on, "Financing for gender equality''; "Engaging young women and men, girls and boys, to advance gender equality"; and the "Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls". The latter theme constituted the basis for discussion of the priority theme for the 57th CSW session in 2013.
A report on the 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women was produced by the delegation that went to the session. This was presented to the multiparty women's caucus, referred to the chairperson responsible for the parliamentary group on international relations, and subsequently referred to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities, where it was discussed and adopted.
The CSW 56th Session concluded with some identified resolutions. They were, to name but a few: ending female genital mutilation, women; the girl and HIV and Aids; and eliminating maternal mortality and morbidity through empowerment of women. The Interparliamentary Union, IPU, also invited parliamentarians who attended the session to the side events, and the topics that were discussed there were: Women in politics, ICT, and gender- sensitive parliaments within the overarching theme. The report concludes with an overview of the resolutions adopted and the implications of these resolutions for the Parliament of South Africa.
These were the recommendations that were identified, based on observations and outcomes of the session by the South African parliamentary delegation. Firstly, on implementing resolutions, many resolutions that emerged at the 56th Session have relevance to South Africa. A framework and tracking mechanism need to be developed to ensure that resolutions are indeed at the country level and that Parliament is kept abreast of developments in this regard.
Secondly, with reference to the gender-sensitive audit, the IPU discussion and publication on the gender-sensitive audit are particularly useful tools which the South African Parliament can apply. A gender-sensitive audit of Parliament's current term will provide insight into what the achievements are as well as identify challenges and gaps, all of which can directly contribute to a review of initiatives and inform the Fifth Parliament's term. Thirdly, they focused on gender-based violence.
In conclusion, the CSW 56th Session had robust discussions on several matters that impacted on the empowerment of rural women and girls as well as a focus on gender-based violence in preparation for the 57th Session. I want to hasten to say that the third resolution has already been implemented at the 57th Session of the CSW, where the South African delegation hosted the side events. The impact of the resolutions can only be effective if implemented at a country level, for which member states are responsible, and parliaments have a valuable role to play. The portfolio committee has a crucial role to play in reporting back to Parliament on the 56th Session. I table this report for adoption by the House. [Time expired.]
Hon Chairperson, I move:
That the Report be adopted.
There was no debate.
Declaration of vote:
House Chairperson, the Democratic Alliance would like suggest that it would be helpful for Parliament to devise a tracking system for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of resolutions which emerge from the commissions. The same would apply to any other international or regional platform where Parliament participates where issues pertaining to women, children and people with disabilities are discussed. Therefore co-ordination is of pivotal importance.
In conclusion, the inclusion of multiparty delegations is required, looking at adequate resources and planning. I thank you.
Any other party wishing to make a declaration? No declaration. [Interjections.] Okay.
Chairperson, I want to agree with the hon member on the issues that she brought forward. However, they cannot be entertained now because we are still working on the draft document. We will entertain them when we reach the final copy stage.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.