CALL FOR NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES TO REPRESENT CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Background: Gender Based Violence is a violation of several human rights which has huge social, economic and health costs to survivors, and to the State. This type of violence hampers and hinders meaningful contribution of women to their community and society. Collaborative efforts of government, civil society organizations, the business sector and tertiary level institutions are required to reduce high levels of gender based violence. An authoritative and forceful mechanism to address this scourge together with strong political leadership, commitment and concerted, integrated and joint action are needed.
The National Council against Gender Based Violence will be a high-level multi-sectoral partnership body with the aim to
• provide government with an advisory platform by leading the development and maintenance of consensus on policy and strategic issues; and
• review and monitor the implementation of the existing 365 Days National Action Plan for no Violence against Women and Children which was adopted on 08 May 2007;
• build commitment and foster high level relationships to prevent, decrease and eliminate gender based violence.
Nominations: The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Hon Ms Lulu Xingwana, MP, hereby invites Civil Society Organisations working in the field of gender based violence to nominate candidates for appointment as representatives on the Plenary of the National Council against Gender Based Violence which will be chaired by the Deputy President of South Africa.
Criteria: To be eligible to participate in the nomination of the representative of a specific sector, an organisation must
* represent vulnerable groups on ground-level while functioning at a national level,
* aim to combat gender based violence and
* be an organisation of good standing that is respected within civil society in the particular sector.
All nominated representatives must be persons of good standing and have demonstrated
* leadership and communication skills,
* expertise to represent the sector and
* participation in the field of gender based violence for at least six years.
The following should be noted: Nominations must be in the form of a motivation letter, accompanied by the resume of the nominee. Serving on the Council will be on a voluntary basis. Nominees must be persons of good standing who possesses the requisite knowledge and experience to serve on the Council. The nomination should include the geographical spread of the sector’s operation and reach. Information on the number of organisations affiliated to the sector must be provided.
Nominations close on the 6th August 2012 and no late nominations will be entertained. Nominations to be sent to: The Deputy Director-General Women Empowerment and Gender Equality: Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Private Bag X 931, Pretoria, 0001 or hand delivered at the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities at Room A 105, 36 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria to Ms Nadia de Wee. Nominations can also be mailed to [email protected]. Enquiries: Ms Dikeledi Moema at Tel. (012) 359 0198.