The CGE will protect men and women who complain that they have been discriminated against because of their gender or sex. The CGE will also advise lawmakers on laws that affect equality between men and women, and on the position of women as citizens.

The CGE is an independent body and is only accountable to the Constitution and to parliament. The commission must send a report of its activities to parliament at least once a year. the cge consists of a chairperson and 7 to 11 members. the national assembly and the national council of provinces nominate and approve members to the CGE. The members of the CGE stay in office for 7 years.

The Commission on gender Equality Act makes no provision for provincial offices. The functions of the CGE are to:

• Monitor, evaluate, review and report on laws, policies and practices of different government bodies and private businesses that affect gender equality
• Monitor international conventions to make sure that our laws and policies follow these
• Do research about gender equality
• Make recommendations to any legislature (in other words, any government body that makes laws) to adopt new laws to promote gender equality
• Network with institutions and other bodies to promote gender equality
• Educate civil society about gender equality
• Investigate any gender-related issues if someone makes a complaint
• Resolve disputes if someone has made a complaint
• Refer any complaint that it can’t resolve to the public protector or the South African human rights commission