DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PUSHING FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

By Precious Mupenzi

• The Department of Social Development has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and women empowerment in South Africa.
• Despite challenges, the department has implemented policies and initiatives to support marginalized women and create a more inclusive environment.
• Acting Director Bawinile Zungu highlights the department’s progress and ongoing commitment to advancing women’s rights.

As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy under the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” the Department of Social Development reflects on its efforts to promote gender equality and women empowerment. Leading this charge is Ms. Bawinile Zungu, Acting Director: Gender and Women Empowerment, who discusses the progress made, the challenges still faced, and the policies the department has put in place to ensure that women, particularly those who are marginalised, are empowered and supported.

Ms. Zungu highlights the department’s key initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, focusing on the institutionalisation of the Head of Department’s Eight Principles.

“These principles are used as a monitoring tool to assess the milestones that the department has been able to achieve over the years. We have made significant progress, but there is still much work to be done,” she explains.

One of the standout achievements, according to Ms. Zungu, has been the department’s capacity-building programs on gender mainstreaming. This includes efforts to integrate gender-responsive strategies into its policies and annual performance plans (APPs).

“The department is among the top ten government departments with gender-responsive APPs. This is a notable achievement, especially in a landscape where gender issues are often overlooked,” says Zungu.

Reflecting on the past 30 years, Ms. Zungu proudly notes that the public service and private sectors have transformed significantly, with more women taking on leadership roles.

“We see women becoming CEOs; one great example is the CEO of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). Within our department, we are also witnessing more women being appointed as Acting Deputy Directors-General (ADDs), although we recognise that this is not enough. We want to see women permanently appointed to these positions,” she asserts.

However, Ms. Zungu acknowledges that challenges persist, particularly around the inclusion of marginalised groups.

“One of our key challenges has been the lack of full mainstreaming of disability issues, which has hindered our ability to meet the 2.5% quota for appointing persons with disabilities, including women with disabilities. In addition, while the department is committed to promoting diversity, we still need to do more in terms of LGBTQIA+ inclusivity. Although we do hold awareness-raising sessions, we were notably silent during Pride Month,” Zungu admits.

Ms. Zungu also emphasises the department’s work on building gender equity within its own ranks. Progress on the Eight Principles is shared with female senior managers annually, providing a “report card” on the department’s progress towards women’s empowerment and gender equality. Furthermore, the department has made strides in developing its workforce, with the majority of its bursary recipients being women.

“However, we still need to ensure that more women within the department, especially those looking to enrol for their first degrees or diplomas, benefit from these opportunities,” she adds.

Despite these strides, Ms. Zungu is clear that the journey towards true gender equality is ongoing. “We have made positive strides, but we are not where we are supposed to be yet. Our department is regarded as a best practice in institutionalising women’s empowerment and gender equality in the workplace, but challenges remain,” she says.

Looking ahead, the Department of Social Development is committed to building on its successes, with initiatives like the “Molo Makhelwane” campaign aimed at uniting communities and fostering a culture of care and support. The department is also working closely with other government entities and non-profit orgnisations (NGOs) to promote gender equality and advance women’s rights.

A collaboration with the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities is also underway, with a National Gender Mainstreaming Strategy in development.

Ms. Zungu stresses the importance of continued commitment from senior leadership, noting the role of the DSD Sector Gender Forum as a platform for learning, critique, and information-sharing. “This forum enables us to improve our work and maintain our focus on gender equality,” she explains. As Women’s Month continues, Ms. Zungu reflects on the department’s mission to empower women and promote gender equality.

“We are committed to ensuring that all women, especially the most marginalised, are supported and empowered through our programmes. We have come a long way, but the work continues.”