Project profile — Gender Empowerment Project

The goal of the Gender Empowerment Project is to improve gender equality in the public service in line with sections 9.1 to 9.4 of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution and to have government services be more responsive to the needs of men and women. The purpose is to strengthen the management and leadership capability of South Africa public service personnel to incorporate gender considerations into their planning and programming. The project permits the South African Management Development Institute (SAMDI) to research, develop and implement a gender training program for the South African public service in order to lay the foundation for the systemic integration of gender considerations into its service delivery. Gender awareness and equality training are to be provided to senior and middle managers, human resources personnel and general public servants within the South African public service.

N/A

Results as of March 2012 include: 10 course facilitators were trained and 2,891 public service officials have participated in a training program that is helping the South African public service ensure that all policies take gender equality and non-discrimination into consideration. The training has led to increased integration of gender equality into the design and delivery of programs and services. It has also led to increased awareness of public servants on gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Many public servants who have taken the course have provided testimonials indicating that the training had changed the way they think about gender issues in South Africa, and that this change was going to affect policy formulation in the country. In addition, within the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy (PALAMA) alone, gender elements are included in 10 additional courses and more than 45 student and facilitator guides.