Taking the rights of widows to a higher level KwaZulu-Natal Summit on Widowhood, 4-5 September 2015, Durban
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the above summit to cover the event and engage with speakers and participants on issues emerging.
For centuries, the lives of widows in Africa have been marked by exclusion, marginalization and cruel community customs. Low-income widows have even less opportunities to improve their lives and live with dignity. This is also the case in relation to the experience of widows in South Africa, and the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Widows in KwaZulu-Natal speak to numerous obstacles to claiming their property rights, including low levels of awareness of their rights, challenges in accessing justice, the time and expense of pursuing claims, and the social stigma and resulting discriminatory treatment upon being considered greedy or traitors to culture if they assert their rights.
Low educational and awareness levels of women, especially in rural areas, widespread patriarchal values and practices, and unsuccessful attempts by widows’ organisations to influence change, have meant that previous interventions in response to widows’ concerns, at provincial and national level, have not been effective.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees to ensure dignity, equal opportunities and active participation in all walks of life, of all people, irrespective of grounds including race, gender, sex, marital status, age, religion, belief or culture. Therefore the rights of widows, just as for all categories of women, need to be upheld, promoted and protected, and discriminatory and harmful practices eliminated.
It is within this context, that the Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal is convening a Provincial summit on widowhood, to be held in Durban on 4-5 September 2015. Relevant stakeholders have been invited to address the approximately 450 widows who will be attending the event, from all corners of the province, to respond to their issues of concern and strategise on taking these forward.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has been working with the Office of the Premier in addressing the gender equality issues in relation to widowhood, and will be in attendance at the summit to present on their study findings and to monitor and follow-up on outcomes emerging.
Dignitaries present at the event will include: The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu; MEC Weziwe Thusi, Department of Social Development, the First Lady of the Province, Ms Thandeka Mchunu; and Commissioner Janine Hicks, CGE.
Members of the media are invited to attend to cover the event, and engage with speakers and participants on issues emerging on both days.
For additional information:
Thami Ngwenya
Head: Provincial Government Communication
Cell: 060 572 9881
Regi Khumalo
Media Liaison
Cell: 079 751 6108
Javu Baloyi
Spokesperson: Commission for Gender Equality
Cell: 083 579 3306
Cell: javu@cge.org.za
