Public Service and Administration Minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, has invited public servants to enrol for gender awareness courses at the National School of Government (NSG) to advance women’s socio-economic rights while promoting their safety and security.
This, according to the department, is part of marking National Women’s Month which South Africa commemorates annually in August.
This year the country marks National Women’s Month under the theme: Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development.
READ | SA commemorates Women's Month
Buthelezi has urged public servants at national, provincial and local government to enrol for courses at the NSG as one of the institutions that plays critical role in promoting women’s development and well-being in the public sector and society in general.
The NSG offers a suite of courses promoting gender awareness and gendered policy making.
Some of the courses offered are:
- The Gender-Based Violence Course aims to improve capacity to identify and address the root causes of and eradicate gender-based violence in society and the workplace.
- The Mainstreaming Gender in the Public Service Course capacitates public servants to integrate gender considerations into daily planning and programme activities across all levels of the public sector.
- The Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting Course builds the capacity of public servants to understand the importance of and acquire the necessary tools and skills for gender responsive planning and budgeting.
The Minister added that government needs to work harder to raise consciousness within the public sector and urged both men and women to enrol for the courses.
“We need to promote a positive attitude and awareness amongst those delivering services at the coalface.
“Staff in government facilities such as small business development centres, social security offices, police stations, courts, hospitals and municipal offices need to ensure that women are treated with respect and dignity.
“They need to understand that women’s rights are human rights, and that equality is a constitutional right for all. The NSG training equips public servants to gain consciousness that will enable them to deliver services in a more informed and gender-sensitive manner.”
Minister Buthelezi encouraged public servants to also take advantage of the courses to empower themselves with the knowledge and skills to fight the scourge through policy making, implementation and the day-to-day work of providing government services.
“Our country sadly faces the scourge of gender-based violence and women are at the receiving end. Many women have lost their lives while many face abuse, harassment and attacks. Survivors and their families need to find responsive and caring public servants in hospitals, police stations and welfare services.”
For enrolment, departments should contact the NSG on contactcentre@thensg.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
