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About the DA » DA Woman's Network
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THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE WOMEN'S NETWORK (DAWN)
The Democratic Alliance Woman’s Network (DAWN) is deeply committed to addressing issues that affect women in South Africa today, such as rape, domestic violence, child support and access to antiretrovirals to name but a few.
We believe these problems can be addressed through stricter and more efficient implementation of the law, a focus on gender sensitivity education, and providing a network of shelters and facilities where women under threat can find refuge.
DAWN aims to
- Promote the empowerment and development of women and build their self-confidence to stimulate and activate initiatives
- Promote amongst women consciousness of accountability, patriotism and unity
- Promote women’s participation in every sector of public life and
- Promote a healthy culture and recognition of women’s rights as human rights.
We believe the issues facing women can only be truly addressed if all women unite to create awareness and find solutions. As such, DAWN invites you to contact us and share your concerns, or join our growing network around South Africa by calling our Federal Leader, Janet Semple on 082 462 8239, or emailing her at janets@democratic-alliance.co.za.
DAWN NATIONAL EXECUTIVES
DAWN CONTACTS IN YOUR PROVINCE:
THE DAWN CONSTITUTION
1. DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE WOMEN'S NETWORK
1.1 NAME
The name of the organisation shall be the DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE WOMEN'S NETWORK hereafter referred to as DAWN.
1.2 VISION AND PRINCIPLES
1.2.1 DAWN fully subscribes to the vision and principles of the Democratic Alliance as outlined in the Federal and Provincial Constitutions.
1.2.2 DAWN will:
1.2.2.1 promote the empowerment and development of women;
1.2.2.2 promote women's participation in every sector of public life; and
1.2.2.3 promote a healthy culture and recognition of women's rights as human rights.
1.3 MEMBERSHIP OF DAWN
1.3.1 Membership of DAWN shall be open to all members of the party and who undertake to promote and carry out decisions of DAWN and the D A.
1.3.2 Every branch shall keep an up-to-date record of it's members which will be available to all relevant D A structures.
1.4 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.4.1 Each member shall:
1.4.1.1 Take a full and active part in the discussion, formulation and implementation of the policies of DAWN;
1.4.1.2 receive and impart information on all aspects DAWN 's policies and activities;
1.4.1.3 offer constructive concern or criticism of any member, official, decision, policy programme, activity or process and procedure of DAWN;
1.4.1.4 take all the necessary steps to understand and carry out the aims and objectives of DAWN as well as the DA;
1.4.1.5 Deepen her understanding of the social, cultural, political and economic problems of the country;
1.4.1.6 inform her branch of movement to any other area and report to the new branch secretary on arriving;
1.4.1.7 refrain from publishing and or distributing any media material without authorisation which purports to be the view of any organised grouping, faction or tendency within DAWN; and
1.4.1.8 resist against sexism, chauvinism, racism, religious and all other forms of discrimination.
1.5 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
1.5.1 BRANCHES
1.5.1.1 A branch of DAWN shall correspond within the boundaries of a municipal ward.
1.5.1.2 All public representatives responsible for such a ward must be informed of all established branches of DAWN.
1.5.1.3 A DAWN branch shall elect at its Annual General Meeting the Executive Committee which shall consist of the Chairperson, Deputy chair, Treasurer, Secretary and other committee members consisting of not less than three and not more than ten persons and meet once a month.
1.5.1.4 The Executive Committee shall, as soon as possible after its election, meet and allocate tasks and functions among its members to enable it to carry out day to day activities of the branch.
1.5.1.5 The Executive Committee shall carry out the publicity and organisational work in its area in the furtherance of its policy, programme and decisions, including those of the DA.
1.5.1.6 The Executive Committee shall submit reports on its work to the Regional Executive Committee at the end of every three monthly term.
1.5.1.7 The quorum for each meeting of the Branch shall be 50% +1 (fifty percent plus one) of the total number of members on the list of DAWN branch.
1.5.2 REGIONS 1.5.2.1 Regions of DAWN shall correspond with the organisational regions of the DA.
1.5.2.2 A region of DAWN shall consist of the members of more than two branches of the DA within the boundary of a DA region.
1.5.2.3 Each region shall hold a regional conference every year which shall elect a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Treasurer and a committee of not more than ten members.
1.5.2.4 There shall be at least two Regional Council meetings in the course of each year.
1.5.2.5 Additional Regional Council meetings may be convened by the Regional Executive Committee or the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC)or at the request of at least one-third of the branches.
1.5.2.6 The Regional Executive Committee shall be accountable to the DAWN Provincial Executive Committee for its functioning.
1.5.2.7 The Chairperson and Secretary of each region shall be ex-officio members of DAWN of the PEC.
1.5.3 PROVINCES
1.5.3.1 Each province shall hold a provincial conference every year which shall elect a DAWN Provincial Executive consisting of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Treasurer.
1.5.3.2 The Chairperson and Secretary of each region shall be ex-officio members of the DAWN Provincial Executive with full voting and speaking rights.
1.5.3.3 Subject to the overall guidance of DAWN-NEC, the provincial conference shall be the highest organ of DAWN in each province.
1.5.3.4 The provincial conference shall be held every year.
1.5.3.5 The conference shall be attended by delegates chosen by all branches with representation in proportion to the paid-up membership of the DA.
1.5.3.6 Special arrangements may be made for the representation of branches in areas where the membership is low.
1.5.3.7 The Provincial Executive Committee shall be responsible for carrying out the decisions of the Provincial Conference. The PEC of DAWN shall meet at least once every month.
1.5.3.8 The PEC shall submit reports to the NEC as often as is required on the state of the organisation and membership, the financial position of the province and any other matter as may be specified.
1.5.3.9 The PEC may initiate provincial community projects that may compliment the activities of the DA.
1.5.4 FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AND CONGRESS
1.5.4.1 The highest organ of DAWN, is the National Congress which shall be and provide direction and leadership to the organisation and determine the policies and programmes of DAWN.
1.5.4.2 The DAWN Federal Congress shall elect the National Leader, Deputy Leader, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Treasurer and two Trustees.
1.5.4.3 The Chairperson and Secretary of each province shall be members of the Federal Executive Committee (FEC).
1.5.4.4 The FEC has the right and power to review, ratify, alter or rescind any decision taken by any of the constituent bodies, or officials of DAWN.
1.5.4.5 The Federal Congress shall take place concurrent to the Federal Congress of the DA.
1.5.4.6 Representatives to the Federal Congress who are also members of DAWN will have voting and speaking rights whilst others may attend as observers.
1.5.4.7 The NEC shall draw up standing orders for the conduct of all proceedings at the congress.
1.5.4.8 Business for the agenda at a Federal Congress will be the election of office-bearers, amendments to the constitution and important matters of national importance.
1.5.4.9 The NEC shall ensure that the Provincial structures of DAWN function effectively and democratically.
1.5.4.10 The DAWN Federal Congress shall conduct all it's business within the framework of the Federal Constitution of the Democratic Alliance.
1.6 RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
1.6.1.1 DAWN is an integral part of the Democratic Alliance and is part of its mobilizing machinery.
1.6.1.2 DAWN, however, has a separate identity and is autonomous in the conduct of its affairs and in the administration and control of its resources, subject to the general authority of the Federal Council of the DA.
1.6.1.3 All the organs of DAWN shall closely co-operate with the National Executive Committee, within the structures of the DA dealing with the Emancipation of Women and Gender Equality and with all DA departments and structures concerned with issues affecting women.
1.6.1.4 The DAWN shall receive an annual budget for specific projects determined and approved by the NEC of the DA.
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ABOUT THE DA
