gender issues in governance

The Joint Monitoring Committee on Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women is part of the South African gender Machinery, and must monitor and evaluate progress with regard to the improvement of the quality of life and status of women in South Africa. It does so with specific reference to the Government's commitments to the Beijing platform of action; with regard to the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; and to any other applicable international instruments. It may also make recommendations to both or either of the Houses, or any joint or House committee on any matter arising from the above. This document contains basic information and contact details of members.

Good governance and gender equality have been at the cutting edge of development debates over the last decade. Empirical evidence shows that both are central to development. This gap between de jure and de facto equality has sharpened the focus on women access to, and participation in, structures and processes of governance. It is now generally accepted that unless women constitute a `critical mass of at least one third of those in decision making, their mere presence makes little difference to the outcomes of governance. The mere presence of women in structures of governance justifiable in its own right in equity terms does not guarantee that gender considerations are mainstreamed in laws, policies and programmes.

Understanding of gender issues in governance, therefore, requires looking at participation and decision making of women and men in the different institutions. Therefore, addressing gender gaps in governance would entail what is the meaning of engendering different institutions and at what levels, for good governance to take place.