The Eastern Cape province is celebrating Women's Day in Xaxazana village at the Elundini local municipality in the district of Ukhahlamba on Friday, 21 August, 2009.
The provincial event follows the national celebrations that took place on the traditional day of 9 August in KwaZulu Natal. The choice of placing the event in Ukhahlamba has been informed by a number of issues which are prevalent in the area including child trafficking.
The government would like use the Women's Month opportunity to profile government programmes aimed at women and as well as stress the importance of upholding values towards a non gender discriminative and healthy society.
A series of programmes are taking place from Monday, 17 August towards the main event on Friday, 21 August. The environmental analysis that was conducted by the Eastern Cape provincial communications has picked up a number of challenges in the area. Amongst others were the high rate of unemployment and a subsequent rise in the number of social grant beneficiaries.
The theme for this year's Women's Month is: 'Together Empowering Women for Development and Gender Equality.
Local councillors, community development workers, different government department and the members of the provincial legislature have started a door to door campaign. The focus is around ward nine and 10 following the outcome of the environmental analysis.
The following departments will be offering services on wheels in Xaxazana village following the needs identified during the environmental analysis:
* Department of Health
* Social Development
* South African Police Service
* South African Social Security Agency
* Department of Labour
* Department of Home Affairs
"We have decided to engage on an ongoing programme of interaction between government and citizens so as to ensure maximum impact of our initiatives. This will also assist to strengthen the partnership between government and citizens as we together empower women for development and gender equality," said deputy speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature during the 'door to door' campaign currently taking place in Elundini.
Contact:
Zamikhaya Nkonzo
Tel: 040 609 6042
Fax: 086 523 7068
Email: zamikhaya.nkonzo@otp.ecprov.gov.za
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
19 August 2009
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
