Women in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality have been called upon to lead prominent spaces in the mainstream economy.
Metro’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Social Services, Dora Mlambo, addressed about 200 delegates gathered at the Women Infrastructure Summit held in Volsoorus on Tuesday.
She said women must seize opportunities by the city to take charge of male dominated sectors.
Mlambo said women should refrain from only offering catering services.
“When you focus on catering, you are affirming a patriarchal view that women’s role remains in the kitchen; the difference is that the kitchen is modern. There is nothing wrong with offering catering services but it shouldn’t be a focus reserved for women.
“We want you in the planning processes of the infrastructure sector because that is the driver of the country's economy.”
She said the Ekurhuleni’s Business Economic Facilitation Network Centre (EBFN) in Kempton Park is well placed to assist them to develop businesses that will enjoy an equitable distribution of opportunities.
The Business Economic Facilitation Network Centre is a co-ordinated business support structure that has partnered with various companies to provide mentorship, linkages to relevant stakeholders and financing intervention for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), as well as co-operatives. - SAnews.gov.za
