Women are again mere 'add-ons' for the ANC

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Women's relationship with the ANC remains predicated on their gender relationship with men in the party.

Remember buzz of Mandela-era Parly

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

The Parliament of the Mandela era was a markedly different space from the Parliament of today, says Christi van der Westhuizen.

Budgets key factor in equation of democracy

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

They are a handy instrument in the exercise of power and improvement of lives, the public must therefore have a say

Building an effective People’s Parliament

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

We need transparency in election of leaders to ensure they follow their conscience in passing laws and don’t pander to party interests

Veil of silence over sex in SA needs challenging

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Alarm bells ring over legal perce ptions of sexuality in a society already riddled with the burden of sexual pathology

New laws on sex are regressive

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

The recent fiasco about the Sexual Offences Act should serve as an alert about continuing problems dating from before the act’s adoption in 2007 and that have still ...

Respect must begin within

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

A ‘truly African institution’ would imply one removed from the processes of history – untouched by colonialism and apartheid

Restoring dignity to the House

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Our MPS need to appreciate that a legislature can only command respect if it respects itself and its own processes

Fix gender commission,don’t shut it

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

IT IS a no-brainer that a commission without commissioners ceases to operate. But, by the second half of this month, the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) had ...

Need for united gender front

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Instead of shifting scarce funding around, it makes more sense to fight for more financing for empowerment work as a whole

Commission needs repair, not destruction

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Gender ties haven’t improved much. Rape statistics, inequality which affects women most must convince Parliament to act fast

Is accountabilty a ‘foreign’ idea to ANC?

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Parliament seems determined not only to impose the secrecy bill on the public, but to demonise all who would oppose it

Traditional Courts Bill brings apartheid back

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

It is legislation that, far from empowering rural people, place them under the thumb of chiefs who can rule by caprice and greed

Who protects our protector?

Christi Van Der Westhuizen|Published

Parliament is presented with another constitutional test following Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s finding of maladministration and unlawful conduct in the police ...