The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) to host the Young Women’s Assembly which will see young women from all provinces discuss issues that are significant in their lives. This is in line with the NYDA’s mandate to embark on initiatives that seek to advance the economic development of young people.
The Young Women’s Assembly has been held annually since 2008 after the National Congress, which had noted the patriarchal nature of our society, pronounced it.
This August, the assembly will look at empowering young women particularly in the transformation of power relations between women and men, institutions and laws. It will also look at addressing gender oppression, sexism, racism, structural oppression and other challenges faced by women.
It should be noted that the National Youth Policy takes a specific interest in advocating for specific gender imbalances and promoting gender parity by designing programmes that target young women in rural areas and ensuring better coordination to ensure impact and sustainability.
In a political context, despite living in a democratic country, young women are still the most vulnerable as they continue to be subjected to all forms of discrimination, sexual violence and other forms of violence, socially and economically.
The meeting, which will be addressed by Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister of dti Thandi Tobias-Pokolo and Thandi Modise, Premier of North West, will create a platform and dialogue on opportunities for growth. It will also promote an understanding that youth, young women in particular, are an integral part of our society and their empowerment is imperative towards an economically successful future.
Media is invited to attend:
Day one: Opening gala dinner
Date: Friday, 26 August 2011
Venue: St George’s Hotel, Irene, Pretoria
Time: 18h00
Speakers:
Minister of Energy: Dipuo Peters
Premier of North West Province: Thandi Modise
Day two: Opening session
Date: Saturday, 27 August 2011
Time: 09h00
Speakers:
Minister of Science and Technology: Naledi Pandor
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry: Thandi Tobias-Pokolo
For media enquiries contact:
Linda Mbongwa
Cell: 082 315 3217
