Parliament, Wednesday, 13 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities today finalised and adopted its Budget Vote Report on the annual performance plans (APPs) of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) for the 2026/27 financial year.
The committee started its proceedings by acknowledging the difficult conditions currently experienced in parts of Cape Town owing to inclement weather, particularly in vulnerable communities and among women, youth and persons with disabilities.
In considering the plans before it, the committee welcomed the tabling of the APPs and the incremental increases in the department’s budget allocation. However, members were unequivocal that these gains remain insufficient when measured against the extensive and cross-cutting responsibilities entrusted to the department.
The committee's deliberations highlighted a recurring concern: that the pace of implementation and responsiveness to previous recommendations has not kept stride with the urgency of the socio-economic challenges confronting the country. Of particular concern was the persistence of non-specific performance indicators, which continue to limit the committee’s ability to exercise effective oversight and measure impact.
Members of the committee further expressed concern at the departments growing reliance on consultants, raising questions about internal capacity, sustainability and the extent to which institutional knowledge is being strengthened. The committee also drew attention to the need for sharper alignment between the department’s activities and its core mandate, noting that this remains a critical area requiring refinement.
The committee noted, with concern, ongoing delays in the finalisation of key legislative frameworks, including those aimed at advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and youth development. Members stressed that these delays have tangible implications for service delivery and the realisation of rights.
The committee highlighted the urgent need for more deliberate and measurable interventions to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), emphasising that the current national context requires decisive, coordinated and accountable action across all spheres of government.
Operational challenges also came under scrutiny, with the committee expressing concern about the condition of office accommodation and the working environment within the department, which they described as not conducive to optimal performance.
With respect to the entities reporting to the department, the committee raised concerns about the cost-effectiveness, accessibility and measurable impact of programmes implemented by the NYDA. In relation to the Commission for Gender Equality, the committee noted shortcomings in visibility, public awareness of its mandate and the scope of its case management work.
Committee chairperson Ms Liezl van der Merwe, said, “The report reflects the committee’s firm view that, while progress has been made, much more remains to be done to ensure that the work of the department and its entities translates into tangible improvements in the lives of women, youth and persons with disabilities. Strengthening accountability, refining programme focus and ensuring that resources are directed towards core priorities are essential steps in this regard.”
She further stressed that sustainable progress would require not only adequate resourcing, but also a renewed commitment to implementation, coordination and measurable outcomes.
In adopting the report, the members of the committee made a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening governance, improving performance management, and enhancing the overall impact of programmes. Among these is a call for National Treasury to reconsider the adequacy of funding for core programmes, and for improved coordination in the implementation of initiatives, such as the Sanitary Dignity Programme, through a single implementing partner.
The committee also called for greater clarity on timelines for outstanding legislation, improved reporting on expenditure and programme effectiveness, and a reduction in the reliance on consultants in favour of building internal capacity.
The report was adopted with amendments and will be tabled before the House for consideration.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, MS LIEZL VAN DER MERWE.
For media enquiries or to arrange interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Yoliswa Landu
Cell: 081 497 4694
Email: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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