Health

(a) Our Department does not have a GBV policy per se, but are guided by the National strategic plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide and we are a contributor and participating Department in the Western Cape Government GBV Implementation plan that was tabled and approved by Cabinet.

 (b) Yes

1. GBV: The Western Cape Government: Health has the following policies and implementation plans to address GBV:

Sexual Harassment Policy, the department is following a zero-tolerance approach to Sexual Harassment. An approved WCGH Bullying in the Workplace statement of Intent (covers aspects of violence and harassment in the workplace). The Western Cape Government -GBV Implementation Plan, includes the Department of Health inputs & planned interventions.

The sexual harassment policy was communicated through Health Communications to all employees, posters with the departmental sexual harassment officer details are made available at WCGH facilities, allowing access to dedicated departmental officials to assist the victims of sexual harassment. 

The bullying in the workplace statement of intent was communicated via all health communication platforms and posters in institutions. The activities in the Provincial GBV Implementation Plan are aligned to NSP-GBVF  2020 - 2030 it includes a host of activities the department is involved in to prevent and mitigate the impact of gender-based violence.

2.  Implemented through,

• Advocacy and Awareness sessions at WCGH facilities
• Gender-Based Violence Prevention sessions at WCGH facilities
• Departmental forums: i. e Gender Forum, Wellness & Disability forums. The forums play a key role to ensure that GBV prevention and sexual harassment prevention interventions are done at a facility level. 
• Employee Health and Wellness Programme supports employees through:

• Telephonic Support counselling for victims of abuse. (This support is available 24/7/365)
• Face to face counselling for all victims of abuse including children who reside in the house of the employee.
• Couple counselling is available for employees to proactively work on relationship issues and avoid abuse within their relationship.

Life Management Services, employees can engage with legal experts for example on how to get a protection order, how to get a divorce, information on custody matters.Refer to the attached Departmental policy on Sexual Harassment.

The sexual harassment policy applies to all office bearers and employees of the Department, service providers, suppliers, contractors of the Department, clients and members of the public interacting with the Department. Victims of sexual harassment may lodge a complaint with the Department who in turn will follow the formal procedure as outline on page 14 of the attached policy.

Please find attached hereto the Sexual Harassment policy.