Pretoria – Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, Susan Shabangu, has warned that radical economic transformation without the full inclusion and empowerment of women is unsustainable.
“The economic empowerment of women is a prerequisite for reducing poverty in our country and dismantling patriarchy,” Minister Shabangu said.
Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister said she hopes that the Report on the Status of Women be used by all stakeholders to identify the gaps and seek measures to close gaps to improve the socio-economic empowerment of women.
“Our approach is to ensure that women’s empowerment is a societal programme that requires an active citizenry. The report has made significant recommendations, which the Department of Women will be engaging on and evaluating the impact of, as well as monitoring progress,” she said.
The report, which was released by President Jacob Zuma during National Women’s Day on 9 August 2015, serves as a baseline document for the work to promote the socio-economic empowerment of women and gender equality, and to advance their human rights.
Recommendations
The report made significant recommendations which include that the Economic Cluster should ensure the fast tracking of women’s economic empowerment through addressing ownership of land and property, access to finance, equal pay for equal work and unpaid labour.
The report also identified the low rate of participation by women in the economy, as well as a need to generate a disaggregated data in terms of race, gender, geography and other critical factors.
Minister Shabangu said their commitment as a department is that women’s issues and gender equality can no longer be a focus only in August, hence the launch of a #365 days campaign; strengthening on-going partnerships and regular dialogues, amongst others.
“Women’s Month is a time when we not only celebrate but reflect on progress both the achievements and the challenges we face in our struggle for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
“With effect from June 2015, we have an approved organisational structure endorsed by Minister of Public Service and Administration. We have also completed a skills audit and we are matching and placing our staff into the new structure and we have focused our strategy to the National Development Plan,” she said.
The Minister also reiterated that while the country has made achievements, there are still many challenges facing rural women in particular like access to energy and water.
“This continues to make them vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse. This also consumes their time and prevents them from being fully economically active.”
South Africa has made significant legislative reforms, developed and implemented policies and programmes based on the Constitution incorporating the Bill of Rights which seeks to promote and protect women’s rights at home, in communities and in the workplace. – SAnews.gov.za
