Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says Women’s Month is an opportunity to pay tribute to the role played by women in the decades of struggle against all forms of discrimination, subordination and exploitation.
PICTURE: GovernmentZA“We also commemorate Women’s Month in order to celebrate
how far we have come; the journeys traversed and victories attained by the
women of our country in the three decades of our democracy,”
Chikunga addressed the media to launch the 2024 Women’s
Month, saying this is the time for the country to reflect on its missteps, with
the aim of correcting them.
The 2024 Women’s Month will be commemorated under the
theme: ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development.'
“The 30-Year Review Report shines the spotlight on some of
the commendable progress achieved in ensuring gender equality and social
mobility,” Chikunga said.
She highlighted that the representation of women in senior
management positions in the private and government workforce has increased from
20% in 2001 to 36% in 2021. At ouniversities, as of 2017, the share of female
graduates was about 61.5% compared to males at about 38.5%.
“At both the undergraduate and postgraduate level, women in
South African public universities have been in the majority. While these are
significant strides, a lot more still needs to be done,” the minister said.
The Minister said the year 2024 marks 101 years since women
were allowed to enter the legal profession as practitioners.
“We have every reason to be proud of this transformative
achievement. On that note, on behalf of all women in South Africa and the
continent, we wish to congratulate Chief Justice Designate Justice Mandisa
Maya.
“This is a monumental achievement for the people of South
Africa in pursuit for justice. Chief Justice Maya stands tall as an inspiration
to all South Africans, especially women from all walks of life,” Chikunga said.
Chikunga also congratulated Tatjana Smith, who won South
Africa’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also paid tribute to
the first cohort of Solar Mamas, who are young South African women, who
recently completed their initial training in India.
“The Solar Mama Project aims to cultivate emerging
industrialists through Infant Industries Development, Product Development,
Market Access and Expansion to domestic, regional and global value chains and
networking. Through our Solar Mamas Initiative, we are expanding the nurturing
of emerging industrialists in the designing, manufacturing, installation, and
maintenance of renewable energy components by ordinary young South African
women.
“This will continue to be our flagship project after
reconceptualization, taking into consideration lessons learnt from the first
cohort. We congratulate this group of 22 young women from the Provinces of
Limpopo, North West and Free State,” Chikunga said.
Chikunga said the year 2024 is significant as it marks
several milestones in the struggle for the emancipation of women and their
pursuit for the right to self-determination and self-actualization in all areas
of human development.
“Firstly, 2024 marks 70 years since the adoption of the
Women’s Charter, a declaration of intent by the Federation of South African
Women (FEDSAW) which clearly defined the rights and privileges for women by
women in South Africa,” the Minister said.
“Secondly, alongside our democratic dispensation, 2024 also
marks 30 Years since the adoption of the Women’s Charter for Effective Equality
adopted by the National Women’s Coalition Structures in 1994,” the Minister
said.
This year’s Women’s Month campaign will take stock of
progress made on socio-economic empowerment of women since the advent of
democracy and indicate the achievements of the Women Charter.
Done By: Stephanie van Rayen
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