The North West provincial government will host a summit for women in the agriculture, culture and tourism sectors.
It will be held on Wednesday at the Mmabatho Convention Centre. The one-day Women Empowerment Summit is aimed at producing a programme of action for economic transformation with regard to women in the agriculture, culture and tourism sectors.
“It will also focus on multi-dimensional aspects affecting women in other key sectors of the provincial economy,” said the provincial government on Monday.
The summit, which will be held under the theme ‘The role of women in the African economy’, is led by the provincial government’s Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development (FEED), Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ), Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs CATA) and Public Works and Roads (PWR) Departments.
Women across these sectors of the economy, including both formal and informal businesses from all the four districts of the province, are expected to participate in the summit, which will address their economic challenges in entrepreneurial and employment issues.
Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane and Premier Supra Mahumapelo as well as former African Union Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma are expected to speak at the summit.
The provincial government said it is important to bring together dynamic women with regional, national and local experience from across South Africa to engage in vigorous debates and reflections, with the intent to formulate a tangible plan on economic transformation for women.
The summit takes place at a time when South Africa commemorates Women’s Month. Last week, Cabinet acknowledged South Africa’s achievements in the field of women empowerment, following the country’s first democratic elections.
Among the highlights mentioned by Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo at a post Cabinet briefing last Thursday is the increased number of women in leadership positions, including government structures like the Status of Women (OSW) unit, which was established in the Presidency in 1997 to improve the status of women. – SAnews.gov.za
