Mixed views over the Gender Equality Bill

Mluleki Mrwebi
05 March 2014

The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the decision by the National Assembly not to pass the Women and Gender Equality Bill. 

DA Deputy Chief Whip Sandy Kalyan said the Bill did little to ensure real empowerment of women. 

Kalyan said the bill is a bad piece of legislation and in rolling it just before the election and making promises to women is unacceptable.

She added that there are so many pieces of legislations that can do the same job as this bill. 

On the other hand the African Christian Democratic Party said it still questions whether South Africa really needs additional equity legislation or a greater commitment to implementing existing laws. 

ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said the original draft of the bill would most likely attract a constitutional challenge. 

Dudley said the ACDP on behalf of all the organisations would like to commend the committee for amending the bill, because much of the harm has been minimised.