Reinforced in formal and informal ways, gender inequality begins in the home; is perpetuated by the family, schools, work place, community, custom, culture, religion and tradition as well structures within society more broadly–the media, new media, popular culture, advertising, laws, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and others. While society generally identifies other forms of inequality, gender inequality is so normalised that it often goes unnoticed, including by women who have been socialised to accept their inferior status. Gender inequality follows the life cycle of most women from cradle to grave. Despite changes in Laws and Constitutions, many women remain minors all their lives – under their fathers, husbands, even sons, and as widows subject to male relatives. Gender inequality is a violation of human rights that for the most part goes unnoticed because it is so normalised.
The result of the persistent patriarchal norms in South Africa is that there is gap between the progressive Constitution and Laws on Gender Equality, and the reality for the majority of women and girls. Women’s rights on paper are constantly undermined by custom, culture, tradition and religion cutting across all eleven ethnic groups of South Africa. Women lag behind men on most indicators – social, economic and political. Ironically, funding for WRO is at its weakest over the past ten years, resulting in the collapse of key local WRO and networks who are needed and play an important role.
Increased enjoyment of human rights and the advancement of gender equality for women, girls and LGBTI persons in South Africa in accordance with the Constitution.
Intermediate outcomes and how these will be achieved
Improved management, programming and sustainability of WRO in SA, particularly those representing marginalised women and girls.This will be achieved by:
- Awarding core and project funding with a strong capacity building component.
- Conducting a mapping of funding for WRO in SA including donor agencies with a view to using the WVL Fund to leverage additional support.
Enhanced delivery of quality services and advocacy by WRO to advance gender equality in SA. This will be achieved by:
- Targeting CBOs that are often left out altogether in funding initiatives by focusing initially on four provinces; working with provincial and local authorities to seek out, support and grow promising local level organisations that can deliver services where they are most needed.
Increased effectiveness of national and sub-national WR platforms, networks and Alliances to effect gender sensitive policy change and implementation. This will be achieved by:
- Having one grant window dedicated to supporting existing or new networks that can amplify lobbying and advocacy on key issues.
- Having a rolling rapid response grant window for innovative pilot projects; urgent campaigns, responses and policy initiatives.
| Ultimate outcome | 1000. Increased enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the advancement of gender equality in South Africa | ||||
| Intermediate outcomes | 1100. Improved management and sustainability of local women’s rights organisations.[1] | 1200. Enhanced performance of women’s rights organisations’ programming and advocacy to advance gender equality and empower women and girls. | 1300. Increased effectiveness of national and sub-national WR platforms, networks and Alliances to effect policy, legal and social change in South Africa. | ||
| Immediate outcomes | 1110. Increased funding for WROs enabling them to deliver on their mandate and their strategies. | 1120 Increased ability of WROs to create, monitor and improve organisational processes, systems and sustainability | 1210 Strengthened ability of WROs to reach marginalised groups[2] with high quality services and support to claim rights | 1220 Strengthened ability of WROs to undertake policy and advocacy activities on a range of issues in their capacities of work | 1310 Increased ability of platforms, networks, coalitions, alliances in policy and social advocacy. |
| Outputs | 1111 Transparent grant-making process developed and executed | 1121 Institutional Capacity Building provided in areas such as: Finance and governance, Results for Changes, Communications for Social Change, Leadership and Diversity | 1211 WROs received technical assistance to develop innovate programming and mobilise communities fulfilling women’s and girls’ rights | 1221 WROs receive technical assistance to design and sustain policy, outreach, awareness and advocacy campaigns to enable women and girls to access a range of gender responsive services in 4 provinces | 1311 Funding WROs networks and alliance is provided |
| Root causes | Patriarchal social norms (values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and practices) condone and perpetuate unequal power relations between women and men; undermining women’s economic, social, legal and political rights; denying them voice, choice and control over their bodies; lives and livelihoods. | ||||
[1] Refer to section on Creating sustainability and capacity building for WROs which mention involvement of the Men’s Movement as key partners
[2] Marginalised groups include the LGBTIAQ+ community, survivors of gender based violence, rural women, and persons with disabilities.