SA Defence Review. Submission 20 th February 2015 to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, South African Parliament

Transcription

1 SA Defence Review Submission 20 th February 2015 to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, South African Parliament Presentation by: Dr Sharon Groenmeyer, Senior Research Fellow, CSD, University of Johannesburg Dr Juliet Colman, Research Associate, UCT

2 Proposed amendments to the Defence Review in tune with existing commitments to: The implementation of UN SCR 1325 and subsequent resolutions The implementation of the SADC Gender Policy The SA Constitution 1996 (SADR p.vi) SA National Development Plan Follow on from the existing SA Defence Policy

3 White Paper on Defence for the Republic of South Africa and Subsequent Defence Review 2004 Women to be appointed to senior roles in MOD and DS to demonstrate commitment to gender equality with the right of women to serve in all ranks and positions F/M Military Personnel jointly trained Personnel policies amended for equal benefits F/M Gender forum established in MOD Hotline set up to report violence against women Annual organisation of Women at the Peace Table hosted by the Deputy Minister MOD (Source: Anderlini, Sanam Naraghi and Camille Pampell Conaway (2004) Negotiating the Transition to Democracy and Reforming the Security Sector: The vital Contribution of South African Women, Women Waging Peace Commission, Washington DC)

4 2015 Context No development without human security Gender responsive peace and provisioning remains an imperative within the South Africa Defence Force Women have a major role in preventing conflict and in peace-building and peacekeeping, both inside South Africa and on missions across Africa and the world Draw on experience gained from Truth and Reconciliation process and role of women as peace builders

5 S A National Defence Force Women make up 23% of full-time personnel in SANDF As the military remains male dominated, patriarchal relations and militarised masculinities continue to affect women s status and belonging, and thus ultimately, their ability to influence security sector reform Extract from: Insights on the Emerging Tensions of Including Women in the Military: Lessons from South Africa (2013:92) by Lindy Heinecken, Professor of Sociology, University of Pretoria Center for the Study of Democracy

6 Overall Little mention of the importance of gender equality Silent on challenge of patriarchy and quality and extent of women s participation in politics No mention of gender sensitive training and development for all personnel No reference of appropriate facilities and accommodation for women No budgets for these aspects

7 Chairperson s Overview 45a Recruitment of woman Is this meant to be in the Plural? 45b The DF to be...gender aligned Is this the SADC Gender Protocol principles of 50/50 F/M? In both cases can the correction take place?

8 Introduction Point 10 to be added: the need to take account of the SADC Gender Protocol

9 Chapter Seven: Regional and Continental Peace Security Only mention of gender is in terms of gender rights violations with reference to the challenges of the 21 st Century

10 Chapter Nine: Defence Strategic Trajectory The main area of work Numerous amendments needed as stated in the Submission and to be read into Hansard here Particular points are: 76c and f: ensure gender balance on all recruitment, including officers 84: Defence Academy to have equal intake of F/M

11 Overarching Defence Principles We are pleased to see in Section 29e, Principle 5: the DF will strive to be seen as a representative, equitable and gender aligned national asset Our proposals flesh out this already committed Principle 5

12 Leadership Role of SA in 2015 SA is representing the G77 + China at the UN General Assembly in New York in September to agree the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Proposal to amend SDG 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies... by adding: Ensure equal representation and participation of women in key decision-making positions in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building process by 2030 with the following indicators: Percentage of women in security and defence forces, including military and the police, to reach 50% by 2030 Percentage of women in decision-making in the peace and security sector to reach 50% by 2030

13 Conclusion With the adoption of the changes proposed in this submission, the DR will take account of previous MOD Policy, the SA Constitution, the SADC Gender Protocol and UNSCR 1325 It further can then chime with the SA NDP in the achievement of a democratic developmental state which is more representative, fully encompassing gender equity It provides a sign post to the changes to UN SDG 16 for the SA role in leading the G77 + China at UN September 2015