Pretoria - Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Andries Nel says it is important to reflect on progress made in empowering women.
Speaking during a visit to the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality in the Western Cape as part of the Women’s Month celebrations, Deputy Minister Nel said even though progress has been made in empowering women, much still needs to be done to address gender-based violence.
“Over the years we have definitely improved the position of women in our country. I urge the many women present here today to also seek out opportunities that this government is certainly providing,” he said.
In 1994, just 2.7% of members of the National Assembly were women. Today this stands at 41%. The national Cabinet consists of 43% women, with Deputy Ministers standing at 45.9%.
After the 2011 local government elections, women representation increased to 38.4%, up from 28.2% in 2000.
“As we move towards the 2016 local government elections next year I hope that women occupy more positions at the local government level as well,” said the Deputy Minister.
The Deputy Minister noted that 72% of Community Work Programme (CWP) participants in Grabouw are women. The Community Work Programme provides a bridging opportunity for unemployed youth and others who are actively looking for employment opportunities.
The programme provides them with extra cash to support them in their search for full-time or part-time employment. Programme participants do community work thereby contributing to improvements that benefit all community members.
The Deputy Minister also visited a number of projects that are implemented in partnership with the CWP in Grabouw, one being run by the Child Welfare Organization where about 18 people living with disabilities are offered training to develop their skills in making leather belts, handbags as well as other items.
He also visited one of the eleven Early Childhood Development Centres that is benefiting from the Community Work Programme.
The Minister also addressed former matriculants who are now CWP participants placed in the School Support Programme as classroom assistants at various schools in Grabouw as well as in the farm schools.
Other CWP participants are placed at a safe house to look after kids in distress. – SAnews.gov.za
