The Women's Gaol

The chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Joyce Piliso-Seroke

RELATED LINKS: Gender Commission moves into Constitutional Hill ORGANISATIONS with an interest in human rights, or those who align themselves with the goals of the Constitutional Court, are being sought to take up occupancy in the buildings adjacent to the court and in the Old Fort prison buildings. Read more A jail becomes a celebration of women ONCE a terrifying place that housed female political prisoners and common criminals, the historic jail at Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein is no longer a symbol of oppression. Read more Constitution Hill tour captures essence of SA A TOUR of Constitution Hill gives a harrowing insight into what it was like to be a prisoner during the dark days of apartheid. Read more Constitution Hill, home to Protector of the people THE newly opened Gauteng office of the Public Protector is fittingly housed at Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, alongside the Constitutional Court and various human rights organisations. Read more

The entrance to the Women's Gaol

Gender commission moves into Women's Gaol THERE is a new tenant on Constitution Hill. With great irony, the Commission for Gender Equality has moved into the old Women's Gaol. August 1, 2005 By Mamello Makgana JOYCE Piliso-Seroke still gets chills at the sight of the concrete floor and walls of cell number two at the Women's Gaol at the Old Fort. Today the chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Piliso-Seroke was incarcerated in that cell in 1976 for her political activities. In a move typical of South Africa's journey since the fall of apartheid, the commission has moved into the jail, which is now part of Constitution Hill. The Constitutional Court is also on the hill. The communal cell once housed women arrested for taking part in anti-apartheid activities or for petty crimes like shoplifting and beer brewing. Here the inmates received the most dehumanising treatment from warders and other prisoners. An aerial view of Constitution Hill, with the red-bricked Women's Gaol in the centre. Now it houses a statutory body set up to protect the rights of all people against gender discrimination. The commission's new head offices will be opened officially on 2 August. According to the commission's chief executive, Chana Majake, this marks a turning point in the history of South Africa. "The location is suitable because Constitution Hill houses the Constitutional Court, where the Commission for Gender Equality has the opportunity to act as an amicus curiae [friend of the court] in landmark cases that redress laws that implicate gender discrimination." The commission educates the public on gender legislation that has been passed in parliament. It holds awareness campaigns and works with corporate sponsors, various non-governmental organisations and the Human Rights Commission. It also researches workplaces to ensure that women are employed in positions that enable them to participate in decision-making. With August being Women's Month, the commission will be holding a number of functions around Gauteng to boost gender awareness, one of the commission's priorities for the year. For more information, contact Phosa Mashangoane on 011 403 7182. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za