Social Development

With regard to her reply to question 24 of 11 March 2022:

[1]   (a) What is the update with regard to the revision of the Sexual Harassment Policy and (b) when will the process be completed;

[2]   [a] who is conducting the review and (b) what is the cost associated with it, including a detailed expenditure breakdown;

RESPONSE TO 10(1) AND 10(2):

The province is in the process of finalising a transversal harassment policy that will encapsulate all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment. The Department has provided its input into the draft Harassment Policy which was drafted by the Corporate Services Centre within the Department of the Premier. The Department does not have personal knowledge of the cost associated with the review process, if any, and is unable to state how far the Department of the Premier is with finalising the draft Harassment Policy. The Department can however confirm that it has not expended any funds during its internal review and commentary process in this regard.

[3]   whether any work is being done to create a uniform gender-based violence [GBV] policy for the Western Cape Government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

RESPONSE TO 10[3]

The Department does not intend to develop a separate GBV policy. GBV will be adequately dealt with under the new Harassment Policy and the wider applicable regulatory framework, such as amongst others, the Code of Conduct as set out in the Public Service Act together with the Disciplinary Code and Procedures for the Public Service [Resolution 1 of 2003].   

For more details part [b] of question 1 and question 2 [a] and [b] should be directed to DOTP.