1. The attached Gender Policy of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is applicable to all WCED employees (CS educators and public service staff) and learners, and the affiliated structures, bodies and organisations that operate within the parameters of the WCED. The policy document is available in all three official languages (Afrikaans, English and Xhosa) of the Western Cape Province.
2. The above-mentioned policy should be read in conjunction with the original resource document, Gender Policy: Reference Document, which is available on request from the Directorate: Human Resource Development of the WCED.
3. The attached policy serves to ensure the advancement of gender equality through

  • reviewing existing policies, practices and programmes of the WCED

  • addressing stereotyping of and inequalities between men, women, boys and girls

  • monitoring the effectiveness of programmes, policies and strategies and on-going evaluation

  • developing, co-ordinating, adopting and implementing of plans of action

  • increasing awareness of gender equality issues

  • applying a gender perspective to all decisions taken by the WCED

  • institutionalising of a structure to facilitate gender work within the WCED.
4. Gender equality lies at the heart of a just and free society and it is the responsibility of all persons to ensure its advancement.
5. Line managers are requested to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all officials under their supervision.


SIGNED: R.B. SWARTZ
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:12:03

Gender Policy of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)  (size: 30 KB)