Human Rights of Women
I COULD not help but notice how the media industry treats gender issues with disdain. This is reflected in the harsh levels of criticism directed at institutions tasked with addressing gender equality - such as the Women's Ministry and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), or individual female ministers - with an apparently kinder standard applied to other ministries or state institutions going through equally difficult periods, such as Parliament, or the South African Human Rights Commission, or male ministers. There does not appear to be the same eagerness to see these institutions and individuals fail.
The CGE has recently released a slate of high quality research reports, and tabled these before Parliament and the United Nations, where they were received to great acclaim.
We have undertaken in-depth research and produced quality reports on South Africa's implementation of compliance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, and shared these successes with media stakeholders.
Did the media demonstrate any interest in these achievements, or provide any space to share these with the South African public? You can guess the answer to that question.
The level of response the CGE is accustomed to hearing from the very journalists previously chasing comment on and providing generous coverage of any controversial development within the CGE, is that "no journalist is available" to cover the issue or event, or "perhaps we could do a pre-recorded interview", or "send us a statement".
Although the gesture is good and welcomed, the nagging sense remains that there is a gender imbalance at play here, which subversively undermines confidence - and our attempts to regain our reputation.
It is common knowledge, although probably not on every street corner, that we live in a patriarchal society steeped in gender stereotypes that influence attitudes and behaviours to the detriment of women.
Transforming these perceptions and behaviours requires a collective effort from human rights institutions and, importantly, the media - a key institution that aids in informing and shaping perceptions and world view - to chart the way forward.
The CGE has received considerable negative publicity in the recent past, and we have worked hard to defend ourselves, not in publishing counter-arguments, but in the best possible way, through working hard to clean up our institution and deliver on our mandate.
This has involved deep introspection by all within the CGE family, leading to strategies geared towards utilising our powers and attaining our mandate, with the hope that eventually, one by one, we will reclaim the respect of our stakeholders, despite the negative publicity that at times was misdirected.
We will continue to do our work, without fear or favour, in the hope and deeply held belief that in the name of those who fall victim to gender-based violence, those who are victims of human trafficking and harmful traditional practices, those suffering the scourge of poverty and HIV-Aids, and those discriminated against because of their gender, we will make a positive contribution to our society and work in partnership with our colleagues in the sector - and the media - to bring about the transformation of our society, free from all forms of discrimination and oppression.
As for the media, we can only hope that when the dust has settled, they will come to appreciate that challenges and issues of gender equality are news-worthy and will come to the table.
- Baloyi is the Spokeswoman for the Commission for Gender Equality.
