Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says government will continue to develop policies that open doors and support sustainable livelihoods for women.
“Women, especially in rural areas and the informal sector, are still excluded from land, credit, capital, markets, procurement and the digital economy,” Chikunga said on Thursday.
Addressing media ahead of her department’s Budget Vote at the Imbizo Centre in Cape Town, Chikunga said for many women in rural areas, there is no easy access to the internet, and information is difficult to get. Transportation and getting the right documentation also proves a challenge.
“We need simpler, more inclusive systems that meet women where they are, not where the system assumes them to be,” Chikunga said.
A substantial amount of money from the department’s budget is used to uplift women, youth and people with disabilities.
Chikunga said a proposal has been made for the establishment of a Disability Inclusion Working Group, which will be an additional Working Group to be established and discussed further at the level of the G20 by countries that will subsequently take up the chairship of the G20.
“We have committed to taking the G20 to the people, so that it is truly 'The People’s G20', a G20 that listens, that includes, and that leaves behind a legacy of progress.
“Our participation and activities in the EWWG [Empowerment of Women Working Group] reflect the lived realities of South African women, youth and persons with disabilities. It continues to also include diverse historically marginalised communities in rural areas, informal settlements, farms and townships."
Chikunga said they have visited Taung in the North West and Mkhondo in Mpumalanga to consult communities as part of a broader national process to ensure that the voices of women, youth and people with disabilities inform South Africa’s contributions to the G20. The similar visits will also be undertaken to other provinces.
“As South Africa, we are approaching our G20 Presidency in the spirit of Ubuntu: 'I am because we are'. This is to remind us that we are connected and we are stronger when we build together and leave no one behind.
“We are in Solidarity - working together, across countries and communities, to find shared solutions. We speak of equality because it is fundamental that we fix the unfair systems that keep so many people, especially women, young people and persons with disabilities, trapped in challenges of climate change, unemployment, poverty, inequality, hunger and rising debt."
Laying the foundation for the nation to thrive
Chikunga said no economy can function and no society can thrive when women are unsafe at home, at work, in schools and in public spaces.
“Safety is not a side issue. It is the foundation of empowerment. We are strengthening governance and the legislative and programmatic response in addressing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. Addressing feminism requires all of us. Law enforcement must take its course,” the Minister said.
Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, the department will continue focusing on enhancing the coordination of the national response to gender-based violence; advancing responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation within government; protecting the rights of people with disabilities, and encouraging the participation of women, young people and people with disabilities in the economy.
An estimated 76.6% (R2.3 billion) of the department’s budget over the medium-term is earmarked for transfers and subsidies to the National Youth Development Agency and the Commission for Gender Equality.
As part of South Africa’s Presidency of the G20, which runs until 30 November 2025, R5.3 million is set aside for the G20 women empowerment working group meetings in 2025/26.
Cabinet has approved additional allocations to the department’s baseline amounting to R66.4 million over the medium-term (R21.2 million in 2025/26, R22.1 million in 2026/27 and R23.1 million in 2027/28). These funds are intended to support the department's operations, including public wage increases. – SAnews.gov.za
