Media Statements

Justice pledge for parity as the world celebrates International Women’s Day

08 March 2016

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Advocate Michael Masutha calls upon all stakeholders in the justice sector to continuously advance the empowerment of women. International women’s day has been observed since the early 1900s to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The call for commitment to parity as encapsulated in this year’s international women’s day theme, “Pledge for Parity” resonates with government’s commitment to equality. This commitment is enshrined in our Constitution and forms the basis for all initiatives that seek to advance the empowerment of women. .

Over the past 20 years, since the signing into law of Constitution, the Department has steadily turned the tide in the transformation of the various sectors of the justice system to ensure the representation of women. Many more women have been appointed to serve in the judicial benches. In 2015, Minister Masutha appointed 154 magistrates to fill vacancies countrywide of which 90 were female. In total, there are 1 722 magistrates, of which 61% (507) are black women. 

The Department is also working towards ensuring that the legal profession is transformed and accessible, in line with the aspirations of the majority of our people. To this end, the Legal Practice Act was passed and is now being implemented. The National Forum on the Legal Profession was set up to put in place systems and structures for the implementation of the Act under the chairpersonship of Advocate Kgomotso Moroka, SC. This forum (consisting mainly of the various formations in the legal profession) will, among others, make recommendations to the Minister on various aspects which still require resolution.

The Department is committed to the further empowerment of women both in terms of those who access its services every day, as well as the broader institutional transformation of the legal sector as a whole.

Issued by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Enquiries: Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services
0836418141
Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za