DATE:          THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2019
TIME:           09H00
VENUE:        NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT 
(PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE)

Parliament, Wednesday 28 August 2019 – Parliament will host the first Women's Parliament of the sixth democratic Parliament under the theme, "Gender and institutionalism: Towards strengthening the National Gender Machinery as a response to addressing Gender-Based Violence in South Africa”.

The conference is aimed at launching a comprehensive programme of provincial sessions aimed at reviewing the 1994 Women’s Charter for Effective Equality. The Women’s Parliament will also be celebrating 25 years since the adoption of the Women’s Charter and the attainment freedom in South Africa.

Delegates to the Women’s Parliament will include representatives from all nine legislatures, institutions of higher learning, the men’s sector of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Commission on Gender Equality, and other formations that deal with gender-related matters.

National Assembly Speaker, Ms Thandi Modise, will deliver the keynote address and the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize, will report on the role of the National Gender Machinery in rolling out the National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Strategic Plan. Other speakers include the Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, who will focus on the role of the ministry in preventing and addressing gender-based violence; SALGA Chairperson Ms Thembi Nkadimeng, and various experts from institutions of higher education.

The 12-month Women’s Charter review process will culminate in the adoption of an improved policy and legislative oversight mechanisms that strengthen interventions aimed at removing structural, institutional and cultural barriers to gender mainstreaming and women development.

Journalists and photographers who do not have Parliamentary media access permits and wish to cover the event must send their details (FULL NAMES, NAME IF MEDIA HOUSE AND ID/PASSPORT NUMBER) to Nolizwi Magwagwa at nmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za 021 403 2465/ 081 716 5824 or Mlindi Mpindi at mmpindi@parliament.gov.za or 021 403 2340/ 081 716 7329 by Wednesday, 28 August 2019 at 13h00.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES

Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo – 082 370 6930