The Report further details key initiatives that have been put in place towards the advancement of the rights of women. Government and civil society have also continued to implement measures aimed at eliminating violence against women and children. Government has also continued with its drive to raise public awareness and access to information on Human Rights. Marginalised and vulnerable groups have taken advantage of this commitment as a vehicle through which to enhance their participation in matters of governance. Corruption has been identified as an impediment to national integrity; hence the fight against corruption remains a key priority for government. To this end, several measures have been put in place with the objective of combating corruption. The institution of Traditional Leadership is well entrenched within the country’s framework of governance. Government has enacted progressive legislation in recognition of the institution which is the repository of the customary law systems and custodians of the country’s culture, Furthermore, measures have been taken by the National House of Traditional Leaders to establish a Regional House of Traditional Leaders within the SADC region, the long-term vision being to establish a Continental House of Traditional Leaders. Following the tabling of the First Report, the country has witnessed significant changes that have demonstrated the strengths of its democracy. Chief amongst these changes was the holding of yet another national election that was declared free and fair by all observer missions. As a result of the electoral mandate there was also a reconfiguration of existing ministries and the establishment of new ministries in order to afford greater focus to the electoral mandate and development priorities of the current administration. 1.2 Economic Governance and Management This thematic area address the following: Unemployment, capacity constraints and service delivery challenges, capacity and skills improvement in public expenditure management, economic integration in SADC. The 2007 National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) sets out government’s broad approach to industrialisation and identifies priority sectors to promote the growth of a strong local industrial and services economy. In the interest of accelerating the NIPF mechanism, government launched the Industrial Policy Action Plan II (IPAP II). Through IPAP II, public entities and non-state actors (supported by government incentives), are expected to deliberately optimise the creation of work opportunities through the delivery of public services. Government has developed a Framework for South Africa’s response to, amongst others, unemployment and the International Economic Crisis. The country has made progress in accelerating access to basic services for the poor and remains committed to addressing service delivery challenges that persist. Some of these initiatives include the new Comprehensive Rural Development Plan, Municipal Infrastructure Grants and Local Economic Development Plans. The Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration Ministry has also developed national key performance areas (KPAs) for local government, including the establishment of a Local Government War Room based at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Provincial governments have thus concentrated efforts in assisting 17