Those who fail the test of being gender sensitive, fail the nation. Out of eleven HOD's, in the Gauteng Government, four of them are women. While this is no course for celebration, a great start, which we can all be proud of, has been made. All departments will continue to prioritise the employment of women, especially in senior position. The Executive Council Office has been strengthened to enhance the strategic support provided to the Executive Council for it's constitutionally defined function of policy formulation.
Youth development remains high on our agenda.
The Youth Directorate is tasked with monitoring and evaluating the co-ordination and integration of youth issues into Gauteng Provincial Government policies and programmes, the extent to which youth are specifically targeted as beneficiaries of government programmes and whether our programmes are taking into account the specific needs of the youth. When we visited the four local communities in which our Executive Council held its meetings, people raised many concerns regarding youth programmes and recreation. In Sebokeng for instance, the issue of the youth and their participation in the economic activities of the country was raised. The Youth Directorate, in partnership with all departments, youth formations and the private sector, will ensure that our commitment to such development becomes central in our policy development. Our economic growth ventures are alive to this call and all departments have been tasked to ensure that our youth are not left outside the realm of economic activities.