SALGA Women’s Commission holds Grand Debate on “patriarchy”, 24 -26 August 2022, Boksburg

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Women’s Commission will today, amid the National Elective Conference, host a hybrid-format Grand Debate on “Patriarchy”, from 2 pm at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre.

The pretext for the debate is: “Patriarchy is the prime obstacle to women’s advancement and development. Despite differences in levels of domination the broad principles remain the same, i.e., men are in control. The nature of this control may differ therefore it is necessary to understand the system, which keeps women dominated and subordinate and to unravel its workings in order to work for women’s development in a systematic way” – (Abeda Saltana Thesis – Patriarchy and Women’s Subordination).

The Moderator for the Grand Debate is the Talk Show host of Radio 2000 Mapaseka Mokwele and she is expected to navigate the panel to unpack questions such as: What is the problem with patriarchy, how is this impacting societal development, what strategies can be adopted to eradicate patriarchy in society, and the issue of municipal feminism.

Chiefly, the SWC is meeting for a three-day-long electing conference to elect a new National SWC Chairperson and adopt a programme of action towards achieving gender equality and further advance women’s struggle for emancipation.

Convened under the theme, “Consolidating the role of local government in rebuilding local communities to meet their social, economic and material needs”, the SWC National Elective Conference brings together under one-roof women leaders and gender activists: ranging from, Executive Mayors, Council Speakers, Chief Whips, Councillors, Speakers, Chief Whips, Multi-Party Women Caucuses and MMCs for Special Programmes including female Senior Managers (Municipal Managers, CFOs and Directors) from Districts and Metros Sonke Gender Justice, South African Women in Dialogue, Access Chapter 2, Department of Cooperative Governance, Department of Women, Youth and Persons living with Disabilities and all provincial chapters of the SALGA Women’s Commission, female NEC and PEC members of SALGA, including the SALGA Women’s Forum, among others.

Outgoing President of the SWC Flora Maboa-Boltman said: “The purpose of the lekgotla was consolidating the role of local government in rebuilding communities to meet their social, economic and material needs. The SWC meets at a critical time when gender-based violence and femicide continue to manifest in various formats despite various commitments made by Government to address the scourge.”

“Following the 2021 Local Government Elections, only 37% represent women councillors. We must confront the setbacks and reversal gains in achieving the 50/50, as well as new data revealed by Stats SA Non-Financial of Municipalities for 2020 about decreasing gender representation in local government.”

The SWC National Elective Conference follows successful provincial SWC Makgotla’s held since May across the provinces.

Source: Government of South Africa