Pretoria – Brand South Africa has emphasised that women’s economic empowerment is a prerequisite for sustainable development and the successful achievement of the goals outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP).
“The NDP calls for investments in gender equality, as these yield the highest returns of all development investments which are fundamental to strengthening women’s rights, thus enabling women to have control over their lives and exert influence in society,” said Brand South Africa, as the country marked the beginning of Women’s Month at the weekend.
This year Women’s Month is being celebrated under the theme: “Women United in Moving South Africa Forward”, a theme centred on women achievers and their participation in the economy.
Brand South Africa said gender equality and empowered women were catalysts for multiplying development efforts and positively positioning the competiveness of South Africa as an attractive investment destination.
“Empowered, inspired and developed women are critical to South Africa’s global competitiveness. This is equally the legacy that will be bequeathed to future generations,” said Brand South Africa.
A number of studies shows that countries that have expanded opportunities for women and girls in education and work in recent decades have largely achieved greater prosperity and social development.
In South Africa, women constitute a large proportion of the economically challenged, particularly in rural areas.
The NDP acknowledges this by taking gender along with race and geographic location into account by proposing a range of measures to advance women’s equality.
The NDP proposes that the transformation of the economy should involve active participation and empowerment of women and that the role of women as leaders in all sectors of society should be actively supported. – SAnews.gov.za
