Okay, thank you. There is space for one. Is there someone? None. We proceed.
Particulars regarding South Africa's participation in 57th session of UN Commission on the Status of Women
131. Ms L L van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:
What (a) total expenses were incurred, (b) was the composition of the delegation, (c) role was assigned to each member of the delegation and (d) outcomes were achieved in terms of real progress in the fight against the scourge of violence against women and children in respect of South Africa's participation in the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in March 2013? NO890E
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Hon Deputy Speaker, the total cost that was incurred by the department for its participation at the 57th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2013 is R1,072 million. The South African delegation comprised the Minister of Social Development, the Deputy Minister of Police, the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, senior government officials and I.
The theme of the 57th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women was: Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. Therefore, we had mostly the Justice, Crime Prevention, Safety and Security Cluster participating. The role and responsibilities included the following: the Department of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities was the lead department on content negotiations; the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, represented by the UN Embassy in New York and headed by Ambassador Mamabolo, focused on UN protocol and negotiations; the Department of Social Development focused on victim empowerment, support, prevention, and negotiations, and also participated in a number of side events; the SA Police Service focused on the prevention of gender-based violence, the role of law enforcement agencies in the war against violence against women and children, and the protection of victims, and also participated in side events; and the Department of Correctional Services, led by the Deputy Minister, focused on programmes for men and boys and also the rehabilitation of offenders. The Ministers stayed for the high-level panel sessions only.
There was also a delegation from the human rights institutions, represented by the Commission for Gender Equality. There were also the Film and Publication Board, which participated on issues of cybercrime and electronic pornography, particularly child pornography, and Members of Parliament, as well as the chairs of the portfolio and select committees. [Time expired.]