1

Private Bag X931, Pretoria, 0001, 36 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria Tel.: 012 359 0071/2, Fax: 012 323 5954

VERSION 5: 26 JULY 2020

COMMUNICATION PLAN: (DRAFT VERSION 5)

WOMEN’S MONTH 2020

THEME:

Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future

Contact Person:

Shalen Gajadhar (Mr)

Director: Communications

Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

012 359 0300

060 979 4235

E-mail: shalen.gajadhar@women.gov.za

NOTE: This is a working document and is intended for inputs, collaboration and finding synergies.

Inputs must ONLY be made via track changes and returned for consideration and inclusion.

2

1. BACKGROUND

Every year, on 9 August, South Africa commemorates the 1956 Women’s March when

over 20 000 women from all backgrounds and cultures marched to the Union Buildings

in Pretoria to protest against the pass laws. The Pass Laws sought to control the

movement of women, subjugating women to government controls which aimed to

reduce women to property of the state. The historical 1956 march by brave South

African women, contributed greatly to the emancipation of women and an overall

equality of South African citizens.

In this march, the women of South Africa sent a public message that they would not

be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws. The leaders of the march carried petitions

and the women sang a freedom song: ‘Wathint` abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You

Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock). This slogan has come to represent the courage

and strength of South African women.

This march has been celebrated since 1995 as National Women’s Day to recognise

the important role political activism by women played during the struggle for liberation

against colonisation and apartheid.

2020 marks 66 years since the Founding Conference of the Federation of South

African Women which adopted the 1954 Women’s Charter. The 1954 Women’s

Charter called for a single society that recognises that “women do not form a society

separate from the men” and therefore “shares in the problems and anxieties of our

men, and joins hands with them to remove social evils and obstacles to progress”. The

Women’s Charter was adopted a year before the historic Freedom Charter of 1955. In

1994 under the Women’s National Coalition, the Women’s Charter for Effective

Equality was adopted.

Both the 1954- and 1994- Women’s Charters give expression to the common

experiences, visions and aspirations of South African women, providing the platform

for women to voice out their call for respect and recognition of their human dignity,

rights and change in their status and material conditions.

3

2. BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Black women suffered triple oppression (race, gender, class / culture), especially those

married under customary law, who were regarded as minors by the Black

Administration Act 1927 and placed under the tutelage of their husbands. The

aspirations of women for self-determination and equality were espoused in the

Women’s Charter of 1954.

South Africa participated in the 4th World Conference of Women in 1995, and signed

the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the same year. In line with resolution

E/RES/2013/18 of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), South Africa is

committed to undertake a comprehensive national-level review of the progress made

and challenges encountered in implementing the Platform for Action for the

achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women. It is envisaged that this

national-level review will contribute in understanding and engagement of how gender

equality and the empowerment of women can be strengthened in a Post-2015

Development Agenda/UN Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of

Women in Africa, better known as the Maputo Protocol, is an international human

rights instrument established by the African Union that went into The Maputo Protocol,

formulated with help from the International Planned Parenthood Federation, explicitly

calls for all methods of contraception, including abortifacient ones such as the Pill, to

be provided by governments. It not only calls for allowing the killing of unborn children

conceived through rape and incest, but for the mental health of the mother.

Culture War: The Maputo Protocol is About the Eradication of Traditional African

Family Cultures. In contrast to its passing mention of FGM, the Maputo Protocol is full

of radical feminist language about the complete transformation of African cultures into

a Western, Marxist-style genderless utopia. The Maputo Protocol is an African

blueprint for continent-wide feminist social transformation that, like all leftist

transformations, will destroy families, lessen community, uproot tradition, and enhance

the power of ruling governmental elites.

4

“States Parties shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to ensure the

protection of every woman’s right to respect for her dignity and protection of women

from all forms of violence, particularly sexual and verbal violence.”

This women’s month in recognising our learning from the past and present African

development efforts and challenges and forging an African-centred approach to

transformation which includes lessons from post-independence state and nation-

building, industrialization and modernization efforts, the fight against disease,

ignorance and poverty; and the push for integration, as captured in the OAU Charter,

the Monrovia Declaration, the Lagos Plan of Action, the Abuja Treaty, the AU

Constitutive Act and, NEPAD.

The Pan African women’s day would one more support the “People-centred

development, gender equality and youth empowerment, which place the African

people at the centre of all continental efforts, to ensure their participation in the

transformation of the continent, and to build caring and inclusive societies. No society

can reach its full potential, unless it empowers women and youth and removes all

obstacles to women’s full participation in all areas of human endeavours. Africa must

provide an enabling environment for its women, children and young people to flourish

and reach their full potential.”

3. WOMEN’S MONTH

Women’s month commemoration in 2020 is contextualized within the global marking

of the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, particularly

in the Global Generation Equality Campaign coordinated by UN Women. The intention

is to mobilise governments and civil societies across the world to keep to the promises

made at the 4th World Conference for Women and to the commitments adopted in the

BPfA.

The Campaign focuses on bringing together the next generations that are seizing the

moment to re-imagine economies, societies and political systems so that they can

uphold human rights and achieve gender equality while leaving no one behind.

Towards that goal, the Campaign seeks to draw on this momentum and impetus being

5

created by the next generations of women rights activists, gender equality advocates

and visionaries in tandem with that of the women activists, visionaries and advocates

instrumental in creating the BPfA 25 years ago. Collectively these change makers of

all ages and genders can tackle the unfinished business of empowering women. Hence

the Campaign is a multi-generation campaign themed: Generation Equality:

Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future.

The main focus of the Generation Equality campaign is (a) demand for equal pay; (b)

equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work; (c) an end to sexual harassment and

all form of violence against women and girls; (d) responsive health care services to the

needs of women and girls; and (e) equal participation of women in political life and

decision-making in all areas of life.

The Generation Equality Campaign will be institutionalized through the establishment

of the Generation Equality Forum which will serve as an opportunity to galvanize action

towards gender equality. It is envisaged that it will gather advocates from around the

globe to call for action and accountability for the full realization of the gender equality

agenda. Towards this end, there will be Action Coalitions championed by certain Heads

of States. Action Coalitions are innovation partnerships among civil society, Member

States and business as well as other stakeholders that share common goals to

accelerate action on critical thematic areas of concern. Each Action Coalition will

develop a set of concrete and transformative actions that Coalition members will be

expected to take up for the period 2020-2025. This is towards achieving immediate

and irreversible progress for gender equality.

One of the fundamental challenges that persist in the country is that of patriarchal and

gender stereotyped thinking. This results in misogyny, gender-based violence and

other forms of discrimination. Women and girls are subjected to high levels of rape,

sexual offences, femicide, domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Patriarchal

violence that drives the systematic abuse and oppression of women as a result of male

supremacy, societal norms, cultural beliefs and value systems with regard to gender

roles remains a significant policy and implementation conundrum. While GBV is a

critical challenge facing the country’s women and girls, challenges are not only limited

to GBV. Women face objectification, harassment, the burden of gendered roles and

6

responsibilities, subjugation through culture and religion, unequal access to the labour

market, persistence of gender pay gaps, societal pressures to commit to marriage,

childbearing, child care, the responsibility of caring for elders, early and forced

marriage as well as gendered division of labour and unpaid care and household work,

etc.

Women with disabilities face the same pressures but with the added discrimination

and indignity of being defined through their disability.

Sanitary dignity is inequitable in the country, with poor women and girls lacking some

of the key necessities for sanitary dignity such as affordable sanitary products;

available, safe and hygienic water supply; private, safe and hygienic sex-segregated

sanitation; hygienic hand washing facilities and soap (hygiene). The absence of

sanitary dignity and/or menstrual health and hygiene is particularly challenging for

indigent persons in the rural areas and informal settlements of the country especially

those without water and sanitation, resulting in numerous incidental (and perhaps

unintended) consequences relating to their empowerment, education, health,

employment and social activities, to name a few.

Globally girls and women are frequently denied education and training opportunities

by virtue of being female. Many of those who are educated and trained have done so

only to fulfil traditional and stereotypical roles and responsibilities which perpetuate

their oppression. This is also perpetuated by the lack of employment opportunities for

women and the youth.

While South Africa may be among the first countries in the world to introduce LGBT

rights into its constitution, the LGBTQIA+ sector is subjected to inhumane and violent

crimes (including hate crimes) as a result of their sexual orientation.

Young women also face obstacles in securing employment, as they are more prone

to be subjected to subordinate positions, or lower salaries than male counterparts.

7

Young women with disabilities face compounded levels of discrimination. Women with

disabilities desire to have equal opportunities and also contribute to the economy of

the country.

Teenage pregnancy and the increase in cases of HIV is of concern to government.

Part of the Women’s Month Campaign, must be to raise awareness to these areas

(Beijing Platform of Action – Women and Health).

Unpaid Care Work: Women are expected to care for children, and elder persons. This

is a gender bias and results in many women being unable to seek work due to the

burden of responsibility placed on them to carry out care work. This must be exposed,

with care work needing to be valued in society.

Domesticating the 12 areas of the Beijing Platform for Action is an important aspect of

ensuring gender equality while SA meets its international obligations.

The other important context to be cognizant of in which the August month 2020

commemorations will occur is in the present crisis of COVID-19 and the responses to

it – the lockdown and the risk adjusted strategies. Research shows that pandemics

have a disproportionate impact on women and girls. This is clearly evident already in

the COVID-19 pandemic where women and girls are being negatively impacted by the

pandemic and the responses put in place.

Women and children have been affected through the lockdown by increased levels of

GBVF. The department is aware that the burden of domestic work is gendered, so

while society is fixated on containing the spread of the virus, there is also the mental

strain that parents, caregivers, and in the main, mothers are experiencing with fears

attached to children, the elderly, and loved ones contracting the virus, the juggling of

work, domestic chores, as well as care for children and the elderly, while also being

concerned about businesses grinding to a halt, the risk of no work, no pay strategies

being put in place to mitigate against slowdown in sales, etc.

8

A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme revealed that women

dedicated 74% of their time to work and unpaid care work, versus 26% of time

dedicated by men. During South Africa’s State of Disaster, this disproportionate

burden placed on women will be further strained given the unprecedented steps being

taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. The department wishes to add its support to

the Commission on Gender Equality’s call to prioritise women, children, the elderly

and persons with disabilities when provisioning for supply of water and hygiene kits to

curb the spread of the virus.

‘Violence against women’ means all acts perpetrated against women which cause or

could cause them physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm, including the

threat to take such acts; or to undertake the imposition of arbitrary restrictions on or

deprivation of fundamental freedoms in private or public life in peace time and during

situations of armed conflicts or of war.”

The empowerment of women in South Africa is about dealing with the legacy of

apartheid and the transformation of society, particularly the transformation of power

relations between women, men, institutions and laws. It is also about addressing

gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism, ageism, and structural oppression, and

creating a conducive environment which enables women to take control of their lives.

4. 2020 WOMEN’S MONTH STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• To stimulate dialogue on dismantling patriarchy, unpacking concept of manhood,

masculinity and toxic masculinities and on “what is a real man?”

• To initiate campaign on Behaviour Change towards prevention of violence against

women and addressing discrimination and patriarchal practices.

• End gender discrimination and advance the rights of women and girls in the

political, economic, social and cultural spheres of life.

• Mobilise women and strengthen their organized formations towards the

development of sustainable Action Coalitions (Generation Equality).

9

• Develop national consensus around a programme of gender policy priorities and

programming to advance the gender agenda in the period 2020-2025 and towards

the achievement of gender equality in South Africa by 2030

• Give impetus to the accelerated implementation of programmes for women,

youth and persons with disabilities to address national priorities including the

eradication of gender-based violence, expanding youth employment and ensuring

reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

Currently, South African women are facing the dual pandemic of COVID-19 and GBVF

and this means the new normal expecting us all work toward the building a more just

and equal society, where we respect women and children’s rights and take

responsibility for their safety.

Furthermore, we are working to secure gender equality and protect women’s human

rights in our policies and programmes, but still high levels of GBVF co-exists with

progressive policies.

This women’s month would start to integrate the work around the district model

whereby all provinces and district municipalities will ensure that we all:

(i) Close the gaps between international standards and national laws, policies and

practices, this should be done in line with country laws.

The harmonization of laws with sole understanding on impunity for violence

against women and children, meaning that the identified laws must be reviewed

and tabled to Parliament with sense of urgency, many a times law making

process is long with red tape.

(ii) Bring national laws, policies and practices into compliance with international

commitments, this would find expression in generation equality roadmap.

(iii) Follow-up on and implement the recommendations that emanated from periodic

reviews of their reports and commitments, but also recent court cases and

happenings in South Africa. This is important since support during and

10

immediately after ordeal but thereafter many victims are left to pick up pieces of

their lives on their own.

(iv) Remove all laws that discriminate against women, review and revise all

government policies and practices to ensure that they do not discriminate against

women and to make sure the provisions of multiple legal systems, where they

exist, comply with international human rights standards, including the principle of

non-discrimination.

(v) Ensure that legislation is in place that adequately addresses all forms of violence

against women, since if not able to find assistance when required.

(vi) Act with due diligence to prevent violence against women, to investigate such

violence, to prosecute and punish perpetrators, and to provide access to redress

for victims.

(vii) Take positive measures to address structural causes of violence against women

and to strengthen prevention efforts that address discriminatory practices and

social norms. Societal norms and cultures does plays a major role in gender

based violence situation.

(viii) Education and training of SAPS staff at police station who responsible for

evidence collection, since police are trained to collective evidence at crime scene

and also looking for any other information that will lead to alleged accessed

person which mean they also have to listen to person who probably traumatised

and fearful to report details therefore the police station needs to be safe

environment with staff who sensitive and caring, therefor the gender issues also

contribute towards process.

(ix) To increase access for survivors of victims support programmes, this meant to

be accessible with confidential staff to protect victims and next of kin.

(x) Building a strong multi-sectorial response on district based level model dealing

with issues of culture, norms and stereotypes in society.

11

(xi) Increase resource allocation to implementing agencies and improve services to

victims support programmes, the development of minimum norms and standards

with a costing model to find required recourse and attraction of requisite skills for

intervention and treatment models.

(xii) Increasing data collection and tracking and tracking of perpetrators and victims,

this should influence human behaviour modification and intervention

approaches.

(xiii) Monitoring, measure the quality of services to survivors of violence, using the

GBVF Monitoring & Evaluation framework.

(xiv) Monitoring the CEDAW conventions and other international conventions,

including hosting mock trail session within the periodical sessions this is an

opportunity to measure policy implementation and impact thereof.

(xv) Massive media responses and demonstrations serving as deterrent for crimes

and social justice within the confines of the law. The inclusion of men as partners

and working with rehabilitated offenders must become more prominent since this

would assist with empowerment of men and women as a whole.

(xvi) The impact of GBVF on victims and their families members, needs to include the

mental health as an illness which needs to become a health priority in society,

amongst other the personality disorder illness needs professional treatment and

support.

(xvii) LGBTQIA+ groups living in fear and the so called “corrective rape” and murders

remain matter for concern including the stigma and discrimination in country.

(xviii) Family therapy group sessions needs to prioritise since a lot of work around

socialisation and behaviour change important. Continued partner violence and

femicide does place the family responsibility at centre of the crisis, since many

victim’s family members seems to has have known the perpetrators.

12

(xix) Men as partners programmes needs government support since the peer

pressure could influence the process for more sustainable results. Harmful

traditional practices need to openly discussed and discontinued to increase

mutual respects amongst men and women.

(xx) Economic costs on violence against women, this is useful for understanding the

severity of the problem as it shows its economic impact on business. Furthermore

COVID-19 pandemic contributes to difficult situations which is yet to be

measured therefore we need to ascertain these costs to better understand its

impact.

5. WOMEN’S MONTH 2020 THEME

Women’s Month will focus on a collective of change makers of all ages and genders

to tackle the unfinished business of empowering women through a multi-generational

campaign, under the theme: Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an

equal future. The Generation Equality Campaign links South Africa’s Women Month

Campaign to the global celebration of 25 years since the Beijing Platform for Action

and aligns with UN Women global campaign for gender equality.

Women’s Month in South Africa provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the

generations of women whose struggles laid the foundations for the progress made in

empowering women and achieving gender equality to date. In line with gender equality

goals, the emphasis should be on elevating the voices of ordinary women across

sectors of society under the banner of “What Women Want”. This should in turn

provide further impetus to strategic interventions which will ensure the radical

transformation of gender relations and the political, social and economic

empowerment of women, including young women and those with disabilities.

13

6. COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVES OF THE 2019 WOMEN’S MONTH

PROGRAMME

• To advance the response against gender discrimination, and patriarchal practices

affecting women and girls in all spheres of life.

• To communicate on the role of Action Coalitions, a collective of change makers of

all ages and genders to tackle the unfinished business of empowering women; that

can advance Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality under the theme:

Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future

• To elevate the voices of ordinary women towards the development of a common

platform of gender policy priorities and programming in the period 2020-2025 and

towards the achievement of gender equality in South Africa by 2030

• To highlight programmes to advance the rights of women, including young

women and women with disabilities to address national priorities including the

eradication of gender-based violence and femicide and economic justice and

rights.

• To lobby through the media for women’s inclusion in the economy and address all

forms of inequality including unpaid care work, equal pay for work of equal value

as well as ownership and participation across economic sectors.

• To highlight how women are disproportionately affected during COVID-19

further exacerbating gender inequalities that existed before the pandemic and

interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic.

• To constantly communicate on the Call to Action, to generate buy-in and citizen-

wide activism.

• To educate the public on government services and programmes towards the

empowerment of women and how to access these.

• To inspire South Africans with stories of women having overcome hurdles to

achieve success and greatness in different fields/areas/sectors.

14

7. COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES FOCUS

Communications activities for the month of August must reflect on the long history of

struggle women, in particular young women, and women with disabilities have gone

through to secure their emancipation. This campaign must show the long history of

women’s struggles against South Africa’s fight to end apartheid, and must also reflect

on persisting challenges that women must overcome every day (Harassment, Gender

Based Violence, unequal pay for equal work, customs, cultures and religious practices

that demote the role of women etc.).

A government-wide campaign with activities arranged by both government and civil

society focusing on the rights of women must be reflected through our media

platforms, focusing on the greater goal of increased awareness to our achievements,

and challenges that remain stubborn in the face of increased activism.

Campaigns, programmes and activities during Women’s Month must link with:

• Gender-Based Violence

• Economic justice and rights

• Bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)

• Feminist action for climate justice

• Technology and innovation for gender equality

• Feminist movements and leadership

Another important area brought into focus by recent events is COVID-19 and its

disproportionate effects on women.

Constant messaging by departments during Women’s Month must be done for the

purpose of advocacy (to communicate on challenges women still face), applause (to

pause and celebrate the successes of government in empowering women. To also

celebrate the successes of women in all fields from sport, to film, from art to adventure

and everything in-between), and for awareness (to communicate the programmes,

projects and support systems that are available to all women, young women and

women with disabilities.

15

Communications activities must carry multiple voices with similar messages. We need

wide discussions by different sectors, both government, civil society, big business,

religious and cultural organisations, CSOs, Organisations working in the disability

space etc.

We need multi-language approach, with multi content. Take advantage of online and

low-tech routes to share messages.

Our Communications approach must BOTH include the voices and messages directly

from the disability sector, as well as ensuring our messaging is made accessible

persons with disabilities, through both using technology and reaching out to networks.

Our communications reach as the department hinges on organisations reaching out

to us to get information, for us to share content and raise awareness to events,

campaigns and messages you are putting out during the month.

Local reach is critical! Information must trickle down to District level so that messages

are relayed via Executive and Local Mayors, and via the District Champion

Programme.

8. CALL TO ACTION / CAMPAIGN Be a part of the generation that ends gender inequality.

To ensure constant media interest as well as mass mobilisation during the month,

Women’s Month activities should include a call to action to be elaborated within each

thematic areas. This will allow media to sustain conversations, provide content for

interviews as well as media statements, weekly messaging etc.

The Call to Action will be linked to the theme: Generation Equality: Realizing women’s

rights for an equal future.

The launch event will announce the national theme for Women Month 2020 as well as

unpack sub-themes for the month to guide national conversations, and programmes

targeted at ending inequality and driving women empowerment initiatives.

16

The event will serve as a call to action to the nation to tackle patriarchy, supported by

solution-orientated programmes. The Call to Action impact statement is: Be a part

of the generation that ends gender inequality.

The commitment to this call to action will be through showcasing practical programmes

and opportunities that empowers women and girls. The goal of this campaign is to

dismantle patriarchy in all its forms as an underlying cause of many of the injustices

women face on a daily basis.

The overarching hashtag: #IAmGenerationEquality will be used to show support for

the call to action campaign. The hashtag #WhatWomenWant is linked to Action

Coalitions, i.e. formations that are ensuring women have agency. The generic hashtag

#WomensMonth2020 will trend on Twitter due to mass engagement.

In addition, conversations must centre on what behaviours are appropriate and how

do we change behaviours towards prevention of GBVF and other forms of abuse and

discriminatory practices and attitudes.

The Media Launch must signal to the country that the prioritisation of programmes that

seek to end inequality and empower women is paramount. Minister will call for

government, business sector and citizens to address inequality in all sectors and in all

spaces. These programmes must be sustainable and seek to make a real impact in

the lives of women.

Due to prevalence in the media space and in wider society, the Women’s Month media

launch will address critical issues facing women today, including Gender-Based

Violence, Economic Justice and COVID-19 and its disproportionate effect on women.

This is particularly important as the nation is constantly looking to government to

provide updates on what is being done to respond to this.

A campaign will be developed that encourages citizen participation and dialogue, as

well as media exploration of the theme, thereby sustaining conversations outside of

activities for the month.

The emphasis as per the theme should be on Generation-to-Generation to

commemorate and to pay tribute to previous generations of women who have

17

sacrificed so much to ensure women’s rights are realised. The theme also expresses

the passing of the baton so that future generations can continue the struggle for

gender equality and empowerment of women. This serves to mobilise young women

formations to build on the sacrifices of generations of women who have fought for

gender equality.

The social media campaign will focus on a collective of change makers of all ages and

genders to tackle the unfinished business of empowering women through a multi-

generational campaign, under the theme “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s

Rights for an Equal Future” during COVID- 19 and beyond.

The emphasis should be on elevating the voices of women across sectors of society

under the banner of “What Women Want”. This should in turn provide further impetus

to strategic interventions which will ensure the radical transformation of gender

relations and the political, social and economic empowerment of women, including

young women and women with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ Community etc.

The Call-To-Action shall be a powerful line of engagement by the Minister as well as

the President to dismantle patriarchy in all its forms as an underlying cause of many

of the injustices women face on a daily basis.

The communications approach should include bold statements that resonate with the

public and provide food for thought, that require pause for reflection, and statements

that force the media to unpack their meaning during Women’s Month.

During Women’s Month, statements, speeches, media engagements and responses

should unpack terms like toxic masculinity and positive approaches to masculinity,

patriarchy and misogyny, as well as patriarchal systems that maintain hetero-

normative stereotypes and sustain inequalities for personal benefit.

9. COMMUNICATION ENVIRONMENT 2020 Women’s Month takes place at a time when the whole country is reeling from the

effects of COVID-19. The virus has not only taken tens of thousands of lives globally,

and thousands of lives in South Africa, but has also slowed the economy and resulted

in widespread job losses. No doubt women are adversely affected by the high rates of

infection, as well as death toll, and in addition women have been unable to work to

18

support families and feed children. Over 1 million domestic workers (mainly women)

have not been able to work for months, resulting in widespread hunger and

desperation. This has had a devastating impact on the psyche of South African

women. Women who remain in lower positions, entry level positions due to entry

barriers and juniorisation of workspaces, are affected by widespread job cuts, salary

cuts, and suspension of benefits. Now, more than ever, Communications opportunities

exist in showcasing programmes and funding focussed on empowering women.

Issues of women are cross-cutting, and so it is not only service-delivery departments

that run programmes that benefit women.

Women remain vulnerable as frontline workers in the bid to stop the spread of COVID-

19. Nurses, doctors, Health Officials involved in testing, as well as those offering care

continue to face the risk of infection.

As the economy struggles to recover from the pandemic, job losses across the country

affect women, who remain at the lower end of organisational hierarchies. Many

domestic workers will lose their jobs due to loss of income affecting higher LSM

homes.

Cuts in revenue collection will result in cuts in programme spending, and we must

ensure that these cuts are not made in programmes that benefit women.

This must also apply to GBV where there has been a number of cases come to light,

partly due to women being subjected to lockdown conditions with their abusers.

Women, not only face the threat of femicide and physical abuse, but daily emotional

and economic abuse at the hands of their partners and family members.

Women sit in boardrooms and summit mountains! Women are primary care givers,

work two jobs, are single parents (in the main), and are amongst the poorest in South

Africa (the face of poverty being that of a black woman). As South Africa continues to

focus on COVID-19 Women’s Month is the opportunity to locate the voices of women

within the country’s united struggle to get back on its feet.

19

10. MEDIA LAUNCH EVENT – LAUNCH OF WOMENS MONTH

The launch of Women’s Month will take place on 30 July 2020, from 10:00-12:00.

The event will take the format of a Media Launch.

The media launch will follow the format of virtual media briefings, hosted at GCIS with

media being able to watch via online platforms, as well as the live briefing being carried

by national broadcasters. GCIS Media Room has been booked. With Room 159 at the

Union Buildings being booked as Plan B.

Communications will support in engaging the media and stakeholders on the launch

event, as well as Women’s Month, raising awareness, drafting statement, speaking

notes for principals, social media artwork, key messages, follow up interviews, as well

as event support.

Communications across government and civil society can prepare for the launch by

preparing sector specific statements for Women’s Month as well as Key Messages

linked to the pillars of the Generation Equality Campaign.

Journalists will be invited to witness a media briefing by Principals with questions.

Questions will also be received via WhatsApp from Journalists via Networks

established at GCIS as well as the department’s own media database.

The event will unpack the theme for Women’s Month; with civil society invited to

participate through social media.

Themes under Generation Equality that will be explored: Gender-Based Violence;

Economic justice and rights; Bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and

rights (SRHR); Feminist action for climate justice; Technology and innovation for

gender equality; Feminist movements and leadership.

Priority areas as raised by Minister:

GBVF and raising awareness to the National Strategic Plan on GBV: A South

Africa free from gender-based violence directed at women, children and LGBTQIA+

persons

20

Women and COVID-19: To ensure that society’s response to COVID-19 factors in the

disproportionate effects COVID-19 has had on women, and to ensure that

programmes-in-aid and regeneration efforts close and not widen gender inequalities

Economic justice: Women must be at the centre of economic transformation, access

to and participation in the mainstream economy, ownership and control of land, as well

as ensuring equal pay for work of equal value must be prioritised.

The following media will be targeted:

a. Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities Media Database

b. GCIS Media Contact List

c. GCIS Community

d. SABC TV

e. SABC Radio Stations

f. ENCA

g. Newzroom Afrika

h. Provincial and Local Newspapers

i. National Print Media Houses

11. KEY MESSAGES

The key message is to show support and understanding for the significance of

Women’s Month.

Minister identified the main thematic areas under the theme as follows:

• GBVF

• COVID-19 and its Impact on Women

• Economic justice

Women’s Month During COVID-19

a. COVID 19 continues to destroy families and communities, and will have a

profound and lasting impact which will be felt for years to come.

b. Women remain disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

21

c. While the State of Disaster was necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 it

has also affected the livelihood of millions of women in the informal sector

through loss of income, job losses, etc.

d. Cases of gender-based violence have continued during the lockdown resulting

in women being displaced from homes.

e. Women on the frontline in fighting the virus have also lost their lives through

infection, robbing homes of primary caregivers.

f. The culling of jobs across the country has resulted in loss of income to many

single-headed households where mothers/grandmothers/aunts care for multiple

family members.

g. Government’s efforts in providing over 500 000 (May 2020) food parcels, and

the R350 COVID-19 Relief Grant has allowed millions of families to eat, during

the difficult lockdown period.

h. Young women in schools have been unable to access sanitary products to

manage their menstrual cycles, due to schools being closed. This brings to light

the need for the Sanitary Dignity Programme to ensure women are able to

manage their menstrual cycles with dignity.

i. Women continue to carry the burden of unpaid care work. Women are expected

to care for children and families while at home, as well as maintaining the home.

This care burden is also extended to family members, children across the

family, neighbours, etc.

Closing gaps in gender disparities

j. Since 1994 great strides have been made to ensure women enjoy the same

rights as their male counterparts in relation to education, employment, property,

inheritance and justice.

k. During Women’s Month, we pay tribute to women in the liberation struggle and

the women of today.

l. The women of 1956, and countless others set the tone for gender equality and

empowerment in a democratic South Africa.

m. Their brave actions inspired women to take their rightful place in parliament,

government and civil society.

n. Through their sacrifices, we now live in a country which recognises women as

equal citizens, with equal rights and responsibilities.

22

o. Due to the selfless acts of many, South African women have taken their rightful

place in parliament, government and civil society.

p. South Africa increased the access of girls to education, initiated bursaries and

training programmes for young women and allocated funds for women

entrepreneurs.

q. More however still needs to be done to ensure the full participation of women in

the economy and women in leadership positions.

r. We must work to remove the barriers which prevent women from entering and

thriving in the labour market.

s. The promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment is central to

government’s efforts to combat poverty and stimulate sustainable development.

t. The report on the 25 year review of Women’s Empowerment and Gender

Equality in South Africa shows improvement in a number of areas where

women’s rights were infringed upon.

Government is committed to ending GBVF

a. Government has a zero-tolerance approach towards abuse.

b. Government condemns all forms of gender-based violence and calls on all men

to respect women’s inherent dignity.

c. Various forms of abuse like economic abuse, blesser syndrome, illegal labour

practises, emotional abuse, physical abuse, workplace harassment,

harassment and sexual abuse at places of worship, or places of higher learning,

continue at alarming levels.

d. Government has set up Thusong Service Centres as one stop centres for

services, and these services extend to women requiring help with reporting

cases of GBV by facilitating engagements with SAPS and Social Workers.

e. The Khuseleka Centres offer a continuum of services to victims of crime and

violence.

f. White Door Centres serve as immediate shelter for victims of gender based

violence in communities.

g. Survivors of gender based violence can call 24 hour toll free number – 0800

428 428.

23

h. The National Strategic Plan and formation of the National GBV Council show

efforts by government to coordinate the efforts of thousands of South Africans

to end GBVF.

i. South Africa’s Constitution elevates human rights, equality and freedom for all

of its citizens, irrespective of gender.

j. South Africa views violence against women as a violation of human rights and

perpetuators of these vile acts must face the law.

k. All South Africans must act to prevent abuse and to ensure a safer society for

women and children.

l. Government alone cannot eradicate this scourge and calls on all sectors to

partner with it in creating safer communities.

m. End homophobic bullying in schools, places of learning and in society by

reporting such acts to school management and the police.

n. Every person must place a role in ending abuse by addressing stereotypes and

making abuse an open topic.

o. No abuse must go unhindered. Families and communities must unite against

abusers by reporting these abusers and providing support to victims.

Priorities for women and girls during Women’s Month

South Africa to focus on the following priorities for accelerating progress for women

and girls in your country for the coming five years through laws, policies and

programmes?

a. Equality and non-discrimination under the law and access to justice

b. Quality education, training and life-long learning for women and girls

c. Poverty eradication, agricultural productivity and food security.

d. Eliminating violence against women and girls.

e. Access to affordable quality health care, including sexual and reproductive

health and reproductive rights.

f. Strengthening women’s participation in ensuring environmental sustainability.

g. Gender-responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and auditing

must be implemented across all departments.

h. Digital and financial inclusion for women. Addressing economic injustice,

addressing unequal pay for work of equal value, glass ceilings, juniorisation of

women at places of work, etc.

24

i. Changing negative social norms and gender stereotypes must be challenged at

all times, especially by influencers in modern society who have the ability to

bring about behavioural change in society.

Women with disabilities

a. Women with disabilities face compounded discrimination. We must break

stereotypes and misnomers that frame disabled women, as weak, or unable to

work and care, and have a social life.

b. We must address cultural and societal judgements that occur as a result of a

women’s disability or inability in one particular area.

c. I am a young, black woman with a disability – I personify BBBEE

d. Young women with disabilities are women first

e. Mothers of children with disabilities are women first

f. My wheelchair does not define me, I am a woman who happens to use a

wheelchair to get around

g. I might be blind, but this does not detract or hinder me in identifying my rapist

or enjoying equal access to justice

h. My intellectual disability does not reduce my pain and anger from being

violated

i. My disability does not reduce my dreams of becoming a successful

businesswoman

j. Know me by my ability, not my disability

k. My spirit is as free as yours

l. We are all different. It’s our strength

Advancing women empowerment through economic justice

a. The promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment is central to our

efforts to combat poverty and stimulate sustainable development.

b. Empowerment of women is everyone’s business and needs the support of

government, business, labour and civil society.

c. Let’s invest in women entrepreneurship to grow our country’s economy.

d. Since 1994 we have progressively increased access to education, initiated

bursaries and training programmes for young women and allocated funds for

women entrepreneurs.

25

e. More still needs to be done to ensure the full participation of women in the

economy and women in leadership positions.

f. We must work to remove the barriers which prevent women from entering and

thriving in the labour market.

g. The 2020 MTEF guidelines have made a requirement that departments show

how much of budgets goes to the following beneficiaries / lens: Women, Youth

(and children) and Persons with Disabilities, pro-poor and pro-rural

communities.

h. Women increasingly occupy positions of authority and leadership in the public

and private sector and in careers previously the exclusive preserve of men.

i. Significant advances have been made in women’s health, including lower

maternal mortality rates and through the implementation of the largest

antiretroviral (ARV) programme in the world.

j. There has been improved access for women and girls’ to basic and higher

education, which includes financial support for tertiary education.

k. The most vulnerable in society have been supported by our social assistance

programme through mechanisms such as the child support grant.

l. Other important anti-poverty measures include free public health services to

pregnant women.

m. We have advocated for an all-inclusive approach to Women’s Financial

Inclusion across all sectors of the economy.

n. Facilitated the coordination of enabling environments to mainstream the

economic empowerment of Women in government and private sector

institutions.

o. Lobbied the private sector, non-government organisations and international

organisations to incorporate the inclusion of women in their policies,

programmes, projects and products.

p. Mobilised resources to support campaigns and programmes that promote the

inclusion of women in the economy.

q. Continue to call for the structural reform of our economy, through the use of

empirical data collection and the further dissemination of such data, sharing

26

best practices relating to the inclusion and empowerment of women across all

sectors of our economy.

r. Support the continued strengthening and further development of women’s

capacity in leadership, management, ownership and entrepreneurship.

s. Implementing sector specific interventions that recognise the diversity of

women across all industries.

t. Promoted the provision of an integrated approach across all spheres of

government.

Ending discrimination against LGBTQIA+ Community

u. Sexual Identity and Sexual preferences are personal choices that do not take

away a person’s human rights.

v. Homophobic or transphobic attitudes are harmful and have no place in a free

and democratic society.

w. A woman’s personal preferences in no way affects you as a fellow South

African.

x. A woman’s sexual orientation is protected under the Constitution and it is a

criminal act to slander or enact harmful actions on the grounds of homophobia

or transphobia.

y. Same-Sex Marriages is legal in South Africa and is protected under law.

z. Infringing on a person’s economic, social and cultural rights based on their

sexual orientation or identity goes against the Constitution.

aa. End homophobic bullying in schools, places of learning and in society by

reporting such acts to the police.

bb. Through societal backlash, judgement and callousness LGBT persons may turn

to alcohol, substances, and self-harm as coping mechanisms. This can be

avoided by showing respect for the choices others make, without judgement.

cc. A woman’s personal choices in no way harms another individual, so there is no

justifiable grounds for discrimination of any sort.

dd. Homophobia within families and communities must be eradicated by being more

accepting of all persons.

ee. There is no place for homophobia and transphobia in places of learning, places

of work, places of worship, as well as government, especially within SAPS, etc.

27

ff. Coalitions on non-discrimination on a focus on LGBT Community are

encouraged to raise their voices to change and break hetero-normative thinking

and stereotypes that exist.

12. KEY MESSENGERS

a. The President of The Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa

b. The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr David Mabuza

c. The Minister in the Presidency: Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

d. Deputy Minister in the Presidency: Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities,

Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize

e. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi"

Mthethwa

f. The Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms Nocawe Noncedo Mafu

g. Ministers of the IMC on GBV

h. Ministers and Deputy Ministers

i. The Acting Director General of Department of Women, Dr Annette Griessel

j. CEO of NYDA, Mr Waseem Carrim

k. Chairperson of Commission on Gender Equality, Ms Tamara Mathebula

l. Spokesperson for Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mr

Shalen Gajadhar

m. Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson for Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane,

Ms Mmabatho Ramompi

n. Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson for Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize, Mr

Pelane Mabula-Phakgadi

o. Women who has been involved in 1956 march, or other historical events

p. Young women, intergenerational messaging around women’s month, from a young

disabled women

28

13. TARGET GROUP

The messages will reach South Africans through our online campaign as well as

activities and media interactions. This messaging will form part of government’s wider

messaging during Women’s Month and draw attention to activities during the month

under the thematic areas explored above.

The intended target audience for our messaging and activities can be divided into the

following sectors. This will assist in directing relevant messaging, i.e. that particular

messages are communicated to particular audiences to generate interest and

conversation.

Target Audience Channels

Public

Faith Based Org

Arts

The public will be mobilised through all platforms:

• Radio, TV & Print

• Community Media (Radio and Print).

• African language stations

• Social Media

Sectors:

Men sector

Women’s

Formations

• Critical Thinking Forum

• National Dialogues

• Campaign toolkits

Media Flow of information to the rest of stakeholders and the public

in this various platforms will be utilised including, but not

limited to:

• Media engagements

• Media releases

• Media briefings / special briefings

• Fact sheets and key messages

• Interview opportunities and written responses

Youth

(rural, non-urban

and urban)

To utilize tactics that speak to the various demographics in

the youth market

• Social media

29

• Campus radio

• On-line communication, dialogues

• TV and preferred platform to access information

Business (private)

Sector, Arts,

Academics &

Labour

All platforms including TV, Radio, Print (magazines and

tabloids) and on-line will be used. This will be done through

wider government and civil society engagement through

Women’s Month.

Labour Workplace platforms

International

audience/ Foreign

media

The international media is key to reach international audience

since some African countries will be participating in various

events:

• Linkages with the Foreign Correspondence Association

• Advertorials

• Op-edit pieces

• Thought Leadership pieces on various international

publications.

The above list is by no means exhaustive and will be expanded to include all sectors

of society, but various departments, stakeholders and civil society organisations.

14. KEY STAKEHOLDERS

The following role players are regarded as important for the campaign, but do not

exclude other relevant stakeholders who might have a direct or indirect impact:

a. National Departments, including:

b. The Department of Sports Arts and Culture,

c. Department of Social Development,

d. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development,

e. The Department of Traditional Affairs,

f. Department of Small Business Development

g. SAPS,

h. GCIS

30

i. Department of Higher Education and Training, Science and Technology

j. National Youth Development Agency

k. Commission for Gender Equality

l. Provincial Departments; local government

m. National NGOs,

n. Civil Society Organisations

o. South African Citizenry

p. National Gender Machinery

q. Presidential Working groups

r. Faith Based Organisations

s. Traditional healers and traditional leaders

t. Women’s Groups and Formations

15. KEY MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES LINKED TO ACTIVITIES

All activities below will have Communications support to ensure stakeholder

engagement, wider audience participation and awareness-raising to the campaign:

Date Event Description Lead

30 July Media launch of Women’s Month

Overview of Women’s Month initiatives and theme Disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on women, young women including those with disabilities due to poverty, inequality and unemployment and links to GBVF

DWYPD

31 July Pan African Women’s Day

High-level African Union meeting focusing on the decade of Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion

DWYPD/ WGDD/ DIRCO/

August Launch of the National 25 year Review on Women

Presentation of the Review and the milestones of the Beijing+25 Platform for action Report

DWYPD

Release of draft document on gender policy priorities: Gender Policy Priorities

Draft Gender Policy priorities for 2020-2025 were developed in 2019/2020. The document should be released for comments, including in the form of policy briefs

DWYPD

August Women’s webinar on the assessment of decent work and equal pay

Policy roundtable with various perspectives on the current status of equal pay for work of equal value in South Africa and proposed interventions ahead,

DWYPD/ CGE/ UNWomen/ Employment

31

including a common methodology for measurement

Equity Commission National Business Initiative

August National Women’s Day: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future

National broadcast of the President’s Address

DWYPD/ DSAC/ Legislature

August

Hold a

Continental

Women’s

Assembly

AU Decade for Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion

Continental Women’s Assembly deliberating on:

• GBVF;

• Women, Peace and Security

• Women and good governance,

including in the context of the

African Peer Review Mechanism

• Africa Free Trade Area

DWYPD/ Pan African Parliament (if in session)/ DIRCO/ National Assembly Women, Gender and Development Directorate (AUC)

August Inter-generational Dialogue to mark International Youth Day Young women

Inter-generational dialogue between struggle veterans and young women

DWYPD/ NYDA

August and beyond

Provincial consultations: Young Women’s current struggles, strategies and intervention

Generation Equality critical areas and development of action plans

DWYPD/UNWomen/Provinces

End August

Hand over torch to DPSA for public servants month

Batho Pele Principles

DWYPD/DPSA

Sept Women’s Assembly

Hosting a National Women’s Assembly in the national parliament with women in every province from provincial legislatures in line with COVID 19 regulations at the time.

DWYPD/ Offices of the Premier/ National Assembly/ Provincial Legislatures/

32

16. LOGO, THEME, LOOK AND FEEL

GCIS has developed the look and feel artwork that the department will utilise

synonymous with previous Women’s Month Campaigns to review the country’s

progress over the past year.

Once developed and approved by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, it will be applied in all

campaign communication and marketing products to facilitate synergy and visibility.

Civil society will be encouraged to use the artwork to show solidarity with the aim of

Women’s Month.

The artwork will represent the generation-to-generation approach i.e. women of

different ages and signify equality through graphic marker – like the equal circles.

The emphasis as per the theme should be on Generation-to-Generation – We must

not forget young girls or older women in our response to Generation Equality.

The artwork, while linking to the UN Theme, will have a South African feel, similar to

Youth Month Approach.

Application: The artwork must exist as a logo as well to be able to apply to various

artwork on GBV etc., during the Women’s Month Campaign

The logo and artwork will be applied to poster designs, social media artwork,

programme design and similar collateral.

The logo together with the #IAmGenerationaEquality theme can be used across civil

society to show solidarity with the cause of addressing inequality.

The toolkit prepared will contain social media banners, the logo as well as key

messages which will be distributed by GCIS.

33

17. SOCIAL MEDIA

The reality is that parts of South Africa may still be at various levels of Lockdown due

to the declared State of Disaster, means that online platforms will be used extensively

to raise awareness and encourage participation. The event will be covered on our

social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook. Being a country campaign, the social

media accounts of various departments as well as civil society organisations will string

posts together using #WomensMonth2020. The hashtags will be popularised through

media and government use, as well as GCIS constant messaging.

Multi-media messaging will run on social media platforms, with banners, artwork,

messages, linking to work of civil society, and re-tweets expressing support for

Women’s Month Activities. Social media messaging will utilise the international

hashtag #GenerationEquality as well as #WhatWomenWant

Our Call to Action campaign will carry the hashtag #IAmGenerationEquality as a

statement of strength and solidarity with the project of responding to inequality. This

hashtag will be used in conjunction with images showing programmes, projects, efforts

and collaborations that support women empowerment and responding to injustices.

Hashtags linked to the thematic areas under the main theme will be used to spark

specific discussions. These hashtags would include #StopGBV #EconomicJustice

#ASaferSA

1. On Twitter, we will use our handle @DWYPD_ZA to raise awareness and

distribute messages.

2. Our Facebook Page (@dywpdza) will also be used to host photos and to host

a library of photos after the event.

3. Content will also be shared on WhatsApp Groups of Journalists, as well as

Government Groups and Journalists Groups.

4. The hashtag #WomensMonth2020 will be used to cluster posts.

34

5. Government’s Call to Action will be captured under the hashtag

#WHATWOMENWANT which will allow South African Women of diverse

backgrounds to tell their story of the society they want to see.

6. Media Statements issued by the department will be sent out on Facebook and

Twitter tagging the following: @PresidencyZA @GCISMedia,

@GovernmentZA; @Power987News @SAfmRadio @Radio702 @ANN7tv

@eNCA @SABCTVNews @SABCNewsroom (further handles to enhance this

list)

7. Photos of activities as they unfold live will be uploaded to Facebook, and will

be shared via our Twitter accounts, utilising the hashtags mentioned above, to

achieve maximum reach.

8. Other Departments targeted include:

9. SAPS (@SAPoliceService)

10. The Department of Social Development (@The_DSD)

11. The Department of Health (@HealthZA)

12. Government Communications and Information Systems (@GCISMedia and

@GovernmentZA)

13. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (@DOJCD_ZA)

14. The Presidency (@PresidencyZA)

18. COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES

Activity Responsibility Date

Media launch DWYPD,GCIS, DSAC 31 July 2020

Develop Communication

strategy and plan

DWYPD July 2020

Briefing of Media Houses /

Media Information Packs

DWYPD,GCIS July 2020

Develop and issuing of

statement for launch of

Women’s Month

DWYPD, GCIS, July 2020

Development of Artwork, for

online

DWYPD,GCIS July 2020

35

Media Interviews DWYPD, GCIS, DSAC July onwards

Posting to Social Media DWYPD Communications

GCIS, DSAC,

Government Departments

Civil Society Organisations

July onwards

Issuance of Media

Statements

DOW Communications,

GCIS, DAC

July–August 2020

Weekly

19. CONCLUDING REMARKS

Women’s Month is a country campaign and will require the efforts of all of government

and civil society to raise issues and to celebrate achievements affecting women, young

women and women with disabilities. As the Department of Women, Youth and Persons

with Disabilities, the department will support the work of other departments in all their

events, campaigns, as well as messaging and information sharing plans, to maximise

reach of Women’s Month messaging.

This plan serves as an outline of Communications and will be operationalized through

work with GCIS and government partners.

The introduction of Webinars and online platforms for Communication will also affect

how Communications rolls out this campaign. Lessons learnt through hosting webinars

during the state of disaster will prepare the department to host similar activities and

engagements.

During Women’s Month, media attention cannot only be focused on the work of

government, but also on the work of the private sector, as well as citizens who excel

in their fields.

Our media messaging must:

36

Raise awareness: Educate the South African public on programmes and funding

commitments of government in bringing about gender equality and emancipation of

women through economic emancipation.

Generate Advocacy: Be unapologetic about raising attention to sectors and areas

that are slow to transform.

Inspire Others: Celebrate the stories of successful women (young women and

women with disabilities) who have excelled in their fields of interest to become

trailblazers and thought leaders.

20. COMMUNICATION IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX

The below table outlines the proposed list of communications functions which will be

supported by GCIS, DWYPD, DSAC, Presidency Communications and other

communications officials.

ACTIVITY SUB-ACTIVITIES SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

TIMELINE

Development of Women’s Month communication strategy

Communication strategy to include the following:

• Analysis of

communication

environment

• Communication

objectives

• Key messages

• Key communication

platforms and

mechanisms

• Key communicators

• Communication phases

and key communication

milestones

DWYPD GCIS

First draft May 2020 Finalise by 25 July 2020

Development of media liaison strategy and plan

Media liaison strategy and plan including key media platforms and target audiences

DWYPD DSAC

July 2020

Branding strategy Development of overall brand, look and feel, design

As above 25 July 2020

37

ACTIVITY SUB-ACTIVITIES SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

TIMELINE

options for various branded products etc.

Draft and issue media advisory

When an event involves Minister and Deputy Minister, consult with MLOs on event.

Communications / Programme / MLO

3 days before event

Develop and upload social media content

As part of Communications Plan

Communications On day of event / During Campaign period

Arrange build up media interviews

As part of Communications Plan

Prepare media pack for journalists – to be handed to them at launch.

Decide on materials to go into media pack

Communications / Programme

2 days before event

Draft and issue media statement

Depending on type of event (open or closed)

Communications / Programme / MLO

On day of event or within 24 hours after event

Secure voice note/ video recording from Minister/Deputy Minister for circulation in the media

Develop narrative / script Communications / Programme / MLO

At Media Launch

Draft opinion pieces on behalf of Minister/ DM

When linked to wider country campaign

Communications / Programme / MLO

As part of Media Plan

Form part of Departmental Task Team

Guided by Programme Communications One month prior to event

Attending planning meetings.

Make arrangements to attend planning meetings Engage local communicators in drafting Comms Plan

Communications One month prior to event

Convene Communications Task Team on Women’s Month

Establish Communications Channels Prepare Reports and report into meetings

DWYPD DSAC GCIS

July-September

Inputs on Submission Make inputs on submission for media buying, production costs, banners and artwork,

Communications

38

ACTIVITY SUB-ACTIVITIES SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

TIMELINE

procurement of lanyards, marketing collateral etc.

Conduct site visit Visit location of event to evaluate branding plan, media set up etc.

Communications 27/28 July

Engage/ conduct meetings with GCIS

To secure support in build up to, and during event

Communications

Arrange and attend meeting with broadcast journalists to establish possible partnerships

Engage local communicators to build relationships with local media

Communications / MLO

1 Week Prior to Event

Evaluate branding requirements for event

Evaluate venue. Develop branding plan together with Provincial and Local, as well as other departments, and organisations

Communications

Branding Guidelines in case of physical event

Political Briefing: 1 X Wall Banner. 2 X Pull Ups Table Cloths Entrance Area: 2 X Teardrops (If outside venue) 2 X Pull Up Banners Table Cloths for registration tables Main Event (Tent): 1 X Wall Banner 2 X Pull Ups 2 X Teardrops on either side of tent

Communications One day prior to event as well as on day of event

Edit Media advisory and send to staff

Prepare communications to staff via email informing them of event

Communications 2 Days before event

39

21. BACKGROUND READING

This Political declaration on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the

Fourth World Conference on Women, January 2020

We, the Ministers and representatives of Governments,

Reiterate our pledge to make this decade one of action and delivery for

sustainable development by accelerating our common efforts to reach this vision

by 2030 and to this end, pledge to take further concrete action to ensure the full,

effective and accelerated implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform

for Action and the outcome documents of the twenty-third special session of the

General Assembly and of the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030

Agenda, including by:

1. removing all discriminatory laws and ensuring the full implementation of laws,

policies, strategies and programme activities for all women and girls;

2. strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender equality and the

empowerment of women and girls at all levels;

3. integrating gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across

the economic, social, political and environmental dimensions of development,

as well as the peace and development continuum;

4. ensuring that laws, policies and programmes benefit all women and girls, and

that policies are systematically evaluated to ensure they do not create and

reinforce inequalities and marginalization;

5. matching commitments to gender equality and the empowerment of women

and girls with adequate financing through the mobilization of financial

resources from all sources;

6. strengthening accountability for the implementation of existing commitments

to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls;

7. transforming discriminatory norms and gender stereotypes and promoting

social norms and practices that recognize the positive role and contribution of

women and eliminate discrimination against women and girls;

40

8. harnessing the potential of technology to improve women’s lives and

addressing the risks of technologies for gender equality and the empowerment

of women and girls;

9. closing data and evidence gaps through the regular production of gender

statistics to monitor the implementation of the Platform for Action and the

Sustainable Development Goals.