THE SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT 2014 LEADERSHIP GENDER

THE SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT 2014 LEADERSHIP GENDER TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE LENS OF A DRIVER OF CHANGE: “HER – STORY”. SOUTH AFRICA, POLOKWANE 23 APRIL 2013 MABATHO EVELYN(GLEN) MHANGO 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

SYNOPSIS “The time for policy formulations and talks is over; now is the time for Action, Application and Implementation”. THE BIRTH OF POLOKWANE L M SPECIAL FOCUS UNIT In 2009 I was instructed by the Executive Mayor to see to it that the HIV/AIDS unit be expanded to the Special Focus Programmes Strategic Business Unit (SBU). Much as I was excited to finally see the municipality taking the stride in addressing issues and needs of women, disabled people, youth and older persons, the question was how will that be implemented. It took me about 12 months of presentations, report writing, proposals, negotiations, pleading and arguing with Finance, Human Resource, Occupational Development and other relevant units to assist me with human, financial and physical resources. The unit had only 2 HIV/AIDS officers, me and 2 support staff. I kept on telling myself that “leaders neither give up, nor quit”. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

The birth…………Continue I established rapport with other government and private sectors and forged partnership with some of them. The Capricorn District Municipality has always been a pillar of strength and support structure. Through more negotiations, I made it possible for 4 additional officers to be deployed to the unit for the coordination of the youth, disability, older persons and child advisory programmes. The entire unit is currently operating with a budget of R 945 000. 00 and will be increased to R 1 500 000. 00 for the 2014/15 financial year. Polokwane is one of the few municipalities in South Africa with a fully-fledged special focus unit, with a coordinator for each programme. Through my support and mentorship the disability coordinator received 3 awards for the most innovative casual day support from ADP and DPSA, Provincial and National office, while 3 awards were received from Gender Links and SALGA on gender best practices that I presented.

OBJECTIVES To demonstrate and promote a high level quality service that enhances equal rights, justice and benefits for all citizens, at all times. To provide psychosocial and socio-economic empowerment to men, women, and youth irrespective of colour, race or creed in order to sustain their wellbeing. To encourage men and women to work together towards the elimination of gender based violence through meaningful programmes that will change their lives for the better. To facilitate and ensure gender mainstreaming at all levels of service delivery. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

BACKGROUND Institutional Leadership roles Senior Social Worker Gender Focal Person/District VEP coordinator Head of special Focus Programmes Leader Enhancement Skills MA(SW) Supervision/Mx @ UP VEP Facilitation and Coaching @ UNISA VEP @ UNISA Project Mx @ Wits BS DPhil in SW@ UL Leadeship positions Chairperson of the Polokwane LM AIDS Committee Secretariat of Polokwane LAC Chairperson of Polokwane LM Peer Educators Chairperson of Board – Fundisizwe Health and Social Development Centre Gender Protocol Awards 2012: Prevention of GBV – Gender Links 2012: Best Gender practices – SALGA Limpopo 2013: Prevention of GBV- Gender Links 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

KEY ACTIVITIES Administrative management as head of the unit Overseer for 6 Programmes Facilitate Community outreach/mobilisation Facilitate Capacity building for staff, councillors and community. Facilitate mainstreaming of Special Focus Groups 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS Amount local Amount currency Rand (specify) Gender specific allocation R 170 2013/14 Gender in mainstream projects LED Incubation and SMME plan R 300 00 -. 00 R 300 000. 00 R 250 000. 00 R 570 000. 00 R 1 549 M R 2 839 M Communications promotional and material Sign language , braille matchine, IDP braille Amount contributed in cash or in kind by partner organisations 000. 00 R 170 2013/14 in 000. 00 Mayor’s Golf Charity cup, Iemas Financial services, South African Human Rights Commission, Liberty Life, FPD, DHSD, CDM, Gender links. TOTAL 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

CHALLENGES Challenges Solutions • Insufficient budget • Adjustment budget and budget inputs • Uncoordinated programmes • • Inequality in the workplace • Establishment of Special Focus Forums for integration and monitoring purpose Lobby for gender equality • Unequal number of male and female PR Councillors • Lobby for gender equality and equity • Inefficient economic capacity building for women • Integrated capacity development for women “You have proved that even with limited resources, goals can still be achieved’– Councillor Ramakgwa, Portfolio committee member. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

RESULTS Service delivery Through mainstreaming: Housing, water and sanitation Rural development (water and electricity) Expanded Public Works Programme Local Economic Development(incubation/SMME programme – benefitting during CHAN and other soccer/rugby tournaments. THE GENDER DISAGGREGATED FORM WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL THE UNITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY TO MONITOR INCLUSION OF ALL GROUPS IN SERVICE DELIVERY. . WOMEN PWDs YOUTH SENIOR CITIZENS 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT Facilitate Women’s Caucus meetings GBV and gender protocol workshops HIV and Aids workshops I Act workshops for support groups Peer educators workshops on GBV and HAST. 16/365 Days of activism on no violence against women and children and other calendar events Support for VEP and gender organisations Orange day campaign Black Friday campaign

MEN FOR CHANGE The chairperson of the gender forum More emerging men organisations (MIPAA, SAMAG, MIAAA) GBV campaigns initiated and for men Mayoral Charity Golf day also supported men organisations Annual and sustained men’s pledge against GBV Councillor Daniel Setsie of the opposition party said: “We as men are happy that you have realised that these issues are not meant for women only. Some of our male friends and relatives suffer in the hands of their wives and men usually feel ashamed and embarrassed to report such cases. The women misuse the protection order and use it to spite their partners. We hope this kind of event can be done annually. ”

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION I embarked on the prebriefing of special groups for the IDP consultation meetings Gender Base Violence Door to door campaign Magoshi’s Forum meetings Special Focus and CBO Forums I made special arrangements for Integrated Rapid Public Transport System consultation meetings for special groups.

CHANGES AT THE WORKPLACE Establishment of the ECD More women in management positions More women in bid committees 50/50 presentation in Mayoral Council and for ward councillors Men more involved in GBV and HIV/wellness matters Establishment of Special Focus Forums

OUTREACH THROUGH THE MEDIA Internal communications bulletin External communications bulletin Municipal website Community radio stations x 2 Social network ( facebook, twitter, whatsup) Local media houses

CHANGES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL Relocation from informal settlement to a new serviced area. More low cost houses 800 title deeds signed Water and sanitation Door to door campaigns – cases of GBV, HIV and other Chronic illnesses. SDBI P IDP SERVICE DELIVERY M E I

CAPACITY BUILDING Training on gender based violence and gender mainstreaming Training on the economic empowerment HIV and Aids training/information centre and condom distribution site Financial management Women’s Caucuses

CHANGES IN ATTITUDE Council’s positive attitude towards GBV, HIV, wellness Community much involved in GVB issues Community awareness on hate crimes Men taking a stand against GBV

Changes at a policy level Management high level interest in mainstreaming gender, youth, disability services Gender aware Special Focus policies Gender Action Plan finalised and signed IDP inclusive of gender, children, people with disabilities, youth, older persons and people living with HIV.

ANY OTHER CHANGES Support for people with disabilities Braille material for the blind a braille machine to the tune of R 100 000. 00 through IT Unit. People with disabilities considered for workshops and training sessions Sign language arranged for the deaf at all consultation meetings. Attitude towards LGBTI A change in attitude towards LGBTI community though community awareness Inclusion of LGBTI in the gender action plan Inclusion of LGBTI in the gender forum and all relevant capacity building.

LESSON LEARNED AND INNOVATION Integrat ed services Gender equality men and male Councill ors Gender mainstre aming Hate crimes Gender Forum 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION More budget Annual Mayoral Golf day Gender Forum IDP consultations Ward based activities Intersectoral meetings/Networking 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

Next steps Women’s parliament and strengthening women’s caucus platform Debates on women’s issues Annually/quarterly for caucus platforms. Training for Special Focus Programmes Forums, councillors and ward committees. To enhance coordinated services 1 st Quarter 365 days plan for women empowerment and the post 2015 gender agenda. Ward committees, Stakeholders, CDWs, councillors, partners Ongoing 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

‘You are an inspiration to the community of Polokwane at large. An inspiration and pillar of strength to employees of Polokwane Municipality”. Ms Confidence Rakubu, the communications officer when profiling me for the 1 st quarter of “Bashomi’, the municipal internal bulletin.

THANK YOU/ DANKIE KE A LEBOGA