The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in partnership with the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) launched the National workshop on the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (PEPUDA).
Held on 24 and 25 January 2012 at the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein, selected CSO’s and Clerks of the Equality Court from Gauteng and North West were represented .
Research by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) into the function of the Equality Courts has shown lack of community awareness on the functions of courts and insufficient training amongst clerks.
It was against this background that the workshop was conducted to provide practical training of the Equality Court procedures. Additionally, the workshops provided a networking platform among stakeholders to ensure effective use of these Courts.
In her opening statement, Executive Director of Foundation for Human Rights Ms Yasmin Sooka stated that the equality courts potential hasn’t yet been fully realized. Khulumani recognizes the importance of these courts in eradicating social and economic inequalities and will support this initiative as it rolls out to the other provinces.
Khulumani began the process of rural outreach on the use of PEPUDA to address discrimination against widows, a programme that Khulumani hosted throughout August 2011 towards advancing gender equality especially amongst widows.
