Report on Delivery to Women

19. PUBLIC WORKS

    Internal Achievements

    • Women make up 36.2% of the workforce, and occupy 47 positions at middle and senior management level.
    • A gender and sexual harassment policy is being developed.
    • A gender desk has been established to mainstream gender issues in departmental programmes

    Achievements For South African Women

    Policies and Legislation

    • The Department has an affirmative action policy aimed at empowering women and disabled people.
    • The Department had committed itself to ensuring effective participation in the constriction industry, for example in procurement reform and in successful tendering
    • The Department is providing extensive training to female building contractors to enhance their participation in the economy

Programmes and Activities

• The Department is co-operating with the Department of Social Development to assist in providing employment opportunities for poor women who do not qualify for state maintenance grants.
• The Community-Based Public Works Programme aims to provide basic infrastructure -schools, clinics, crèches, roads, and temporary jobs in poverty-stricken areas. Women are targeted for employment in this programme. 41% of workforce is female. 29% of the completed projects have been preschools and water supplies, with benefits deriving to women as a result.
• Community Employment Programme: women are involved in project selection, planning and management. 38% of those trained under this programme are women.