Commission for Gender Equality concerned at lack of female leaders

The commission met with political parties to discuss gender parity ahead of the 2016 Local Government Elections.

COPE, UDM, NFP, ANC, PAC, ACDP, APC, FF+, EFF, DA, and the IEC were all invited. 

The commission criticised political parties for not placing enough emphasis on gender issues in their election manifestos. 

Commissioner Lindiwe Botha said South Africa has normalised patriarchy and that it needed to change.

"It's women who elect men. Women in their majority are in this organisation...they don't want to elect other women," Botha said.

Political parties called on the commission to hold similar engagements before election list processes are concluded.