Introduction and overview

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is an independent statutory body established in terms of section 187 of the Constitution of South Africa Act 108 of 1996. The CGE mandate is derived from both the 1996 Constitution and the Commission for Gender Equality Act of 1996, the latter of which outlines the powers and functions of the CGE. The CGE is constitutionally charged with a broad mandate: the promotion of respect for, and the protection, development and attainment of, gender equality. As part of this mandate, the CGE has the power to monitor and evaluate the policies and practices of state and private sector entities, including political parties. Accordingly, the CGE, in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) South Africa, undertook a study to examine political parties’ institutional and structural barriers to women's full participation and their ability to influence party policy.

Section 19(3)(a) of the Constitution of 1996 provides that ‘every adult citizen has the right to stand for public office, and if elected, to hold office’, effectively providing a legal framework for the political presence of women. Noting that political parties are the primary and most direct vehicle through which women can access elected office and political leadership, CGE study findings reveal that the structures, policies, practices and values of political parties have a profound impact on the level of women's participation in the political life of their country.

In addition, through their policies and programmes, political parties have an opportunity to respond to service delivery issues specific to women and to begin to address barriers to women's political participation and representation within their political party platforms and structures. These are vital to ensure country implementation of and compliance with the provisions of a range of global, continental and regional instruments, as well as national legislation, aimed at advancing women's rights to equality. This study therefore sought to assess political parties’ efforts to promote women's full and equal political participation in party decision-making structures and processes and to respond to developmental needs of women within communities through their manifestos.