Overview on the Women Empowerment Interventions in SAPS and Women Network Programmes
In implementing Article 18 of the CEDAW agreement which states that parties must submit a report within one year after ratification or accession, Cabinet decided that each line ministry/ organisation must have a gender structure or gender focal point. The intention was to have these structures dealing with both internal and external transformation. The functioning of these structures is monitored by the Office on the Status of Women (OSW) which is situated at the Presidency. Persuant to that Cabinet decision, the then Minister of Safety and Security approved the establishment of the Gender Desk within SAPS. In support of the commitments made to ensure gender equality the National Commissioner mandated senior women to facilitate women empowerment in SAPS. The following interventions were subsequently implemented:
- During 2001 Women Empowerment drives were conducted in all nine Provinces including Head Office to motivate women to seize opportunities available to them. These sessions motivated women and resulted in an increased number of applications from women for middle, senior and management posts.
- Ten Gender Structures have been established during the process which were tasked to encourage and motivate women to seize opportunities available to them.
- During 2002 women responsible to maintain the structures were trained on the implementation of the SAPS Sexual Harassment Policy.
- Exhibitions were conducted at Specialized Units during Women’s Day celebrations at Pretoria West College in order to expose women to these specialized units with the aim of stimulating interest in these Units which are traditionally and currently male dominated . Evident results are showing as women are reflected now in the specialized units although there is still much to be done.
In order to achieve the 30% numeric goal for gender representivity in the SAPS in all occupational levels and categories the following affirmative qualitative measures have been embarked upon:
- 40% of all training is reserved for women in order to improve their mobility to middle and senior positions
- 70% of all places in the Emerging Leadership Programme is reserved for women in order to broaden the pool of women leaders in the SAPS
- All senior appointments are monitored to ensure that they are in line with the South African Police Service Employment Equity Plan numeric goals
- All recruitment and promotion drives are monitored to ensure that business units reach their numeric targets.
Senior women when reviewing the impact of the Gender Structures felt that there is a need to for senior women officers to lead empowerment activities in this regard.
- The SAPS Women Network was established in 2003 (existing gender structures were merged with the network).
- Women Network Champions were nominated to lead the Network and facilitate all activities that highlight contributions of women towards the strategic objectives and budgetary programmes of SAPS.
- A leaflet was developed and circulated in all salary advices of members to inform them about the objectives and functions of the SAPS Women Network.
- A dialogue to engage other stake holders in the JCPS cluster, business sector and NGO’s was convened by SAPS and has indicated commitment of the Network on reducing contact crimes as indicated in the Cabinet Lekgotla.
- The Women Network Charter was launched by the Deputy Minister in May 2005 which indicate the commitments, objectives and the functioning of the Network. This launch again involved stakeholders of the JCPS cluster.
All the champions submit annual implementation/ action plans to indicate activities and programmes they will embark upon. These activities focus both on internal and external programmes.
There are annual meetings arranged for the champions to report progress made and to share best practices.
Quarterly reports are submitted by all champions to Career Management as the coordinator of the Network.
Since the establishment of the SAPS Women Gender Structures, women utilise prominent days like Women’s Day/ Month and the 16 Days of Activism to show case their achievements in combating crimes against women and children
On 23 and 24 November 2004, SAPS convened a “Dialogue Towards Reducing Crimes Against Women and Children”. This gathering was attended by government departments that form part of the JCPS cluster, including other stakeholders in Government, Non Governmental Organizations and the Business sector.
The dialogue’s aim and focus was:
- on priorities, challenges, and successes of the JCPS cluster and its partners in reducing crimes against women and children and implementing social crime prevention strategies;
- to discuss the different perspectives regarding violence against women and children;
- to provide a forum for key role players to share ideas and best practices to deal with violence against women and children; and
- afford departments a forum to exhibit their publication.
The envisaged outcome of the dialogue was:
- a common understanding of the priorities, challenges and successes of the JCPS cluster and its partners;
- insight into the different perspectives regarding violence against women and children;
- improved communication between the members of the JCPS cluster and its partners; and
- implementation of an integrated model towards combating violence against women and children.
The dialogue achieved its aim, however during the dialogue it became apparent that a number of challenges still face us. In dealing with crime, government has adopted an inclusive approach involving business and civil society and this will help create awareness amongst communities and induce appreciation of the difficulties and challenges that are confronted by the cluster. This approach will create an environment conducive to cooperation between the police, JCPS cluster and members of various communities in the fight against all forms of crimes.
Following the Dialogue of 23 and 24 November 2004 a booklet titled “A Campaign Against Violence on Women and Children” was compiled. This booklet gives a true reflection of the two days events and captures almost in detail the discussion of all participants. The booklet also makes specific recommendations on issues of violence and crimes committed against women and children.