By Akani Nkuna
COSATU’s 2nd National Gender Elective Conference opened in Benoni on Thursday for two days of talks on gender-based violence, workplace inequality and care workers’ rights.
The conference, being held at the Anew Hotel OR Tambo in Lakefield, will also elect national gender office bearers.
COSATU said delegates would deliberate on gender-based violence and sexual harassment, the care economy and care workers’ rights.
Also up for debate would be gender and climate change, as well as collective bargaining issues including parental rights and maternity protection.
The gathering comes months after gender-based violence and femicide was formally classified a national disaster.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described GBVF as a national crisis in November 2025, while the formal classification was later published in the Government Gazette under the Disaster Management Act.
COSATU has said that accountability remains weak and that gender inequalities continue to affect workers, including women, LGBTQI+ workers and workers with disabilities, reinforcing its call for stronger interventions in workplaces and society.
