Hon Chairperson, our government has committed itself to the acceleration of gender mainstreaming in the Public Service, and it regards the issue of gender equality to be of the utmost importance in the development of our country.
This commitment has led to the development and implementation of a number of policies and programmes targeting women's empowerment and gender mainstreaming in the Public Service. Amongst these initiatives is the inclusion of gender equality in the Public Service as one of the strategic imperatives in government's programme of action, with a target set at achieving 50% women's representation at all levels of senior management.
Although we did not meet the set target by March this year, as planned, we have nevertheless made good strides that are worth noting. For instance, in 2002, the total number of women in the Public Service was 52% and by December 2008 that percentage had increased to 54,38%, which is slightly higher than the 52% population of women in this country.
The representation of women at senior management level also increased from 17% in 1999 to 34% in 2008. In this regard, South Africa exceeded the SADC minimum requirement of 30% in March 2006.
Evidently, much work still needs to be done. To address this challenge, government has introduced the Gender Equality Strategic Framework, which is specifically aimed at meeting the 50-50 target.
In addition to the Gender Equality Strategic Framework, government has also introduced the head of department's eight-principle action plan for promoting women's empowerment and gender equality within the Public Service workplace.
Furthermore, gender focal points have been established in seven out of nine provinces and in 30 out of 43 national departments. The primary function of the focal points is to ensure the successful implementation of gender policies according to the gender policy framework.
Government is committed to the advancement of gender equality in the Public Service and South Africa at large. It is for this reason that we have established the Ministry of Women, Children, Youth and People with Disabilities. One of the important tasks the new Ministry has been requested to undertake is to conduct a study to identify factors hindering government's progress in meeting equity targets with regard to women at senior management levels. We hope that the findings of the study will assist us to work even harder to meet the targets during the term of this government. I thank you.
UMBHEXESHI OYINTLOKO WEBHUNGA: Sekela-Mongameli, uza kuthini urhulumente ngokubhekiselele kumanqanaba karhulumente angahambisaniyo nendlela urhulumente afuna ukuba umasilingane ahambe ngayo?
USEKELA-MONGAMELI: Sihlalo, kaloku xa sisithi ... (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Deputy President, how is the government going to address the challenge of spheres of government that are against equity and the way the government wants it to be implemented?