- COMMUNICATIONS
Internal Achievements
- A Gender Desk has been established. Women represent 28% at Management
level (Telkom: 11%; SABC 32.46 %; SATRA 28.2%, Universal Service Agency
25%, Independent Broadcasting Authority 45%m South African Post Office
Services 15.8%).
Achievements For South African Women
Policies and Legislation
- The SABC has adopted a policy on women which aims, amongst other
thing, to ensure increased coverage of crimes of domestic violence
and child abuse; to reflect in a non-stereotypical manner the place
that South African women occupy in society and to not distort cultural
and historical circumstances in ways which perpetuate stereotypes and
past misrepresentations. Sexist language will be avoided.
- The IBA is in the process of formulating a Gender Equity Policy.
- The White Paper on Postal Policy has been published. It embraces
gender mainstreaming.
- The Advertising Standards Bureau completed a policy document on
Susceptibility of Consumers to bring it in line with the South African
Constitution, and to eradicate racism and sexism in the advertising
industry.
Programmes and Activities
- An agreement has been entered into United National Educational, Cultural
and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) to promote the participation of women
in the media industry and to address gender stereotypes portrayed through
media. This project aims to focus on public service broadcasting, community
media, print media, research, publishing and monitoring and human resources
development. It aims to create a critical mass to increase access to media
by women.
- The Department has committed itself to providing resources to assist
with training for community radio stations, where many women play an active
role.
- Many homes have been provided with postal addresses, including female-headed
households.
- A Telecentre Pilot Project has been established to provide access to
telephones and internet in more remote areas. Organizations who apply for
subsidies to establish telecentres are being asked to give details about
their programme for the empowerment of women in the telecentres (70% of
telecentre managers are women, and 30% of approved telecentres belong to
women or women-based organizations).
- Two licences for broadcasting were awarded to women-owned companies.
Budget
- Telkom has pledged R105 million to improve the quality of life of historically
disadvantaged communities. Telkom will also install 120 000 public phones
and 2.81 million new lines. Vulnerable women will be prioritised for installation
of new lines.
- R190 000 has been budgeted for seminars, conferences and workshops on
women and technology, media and gender education, etc.