Deputy Minister Nel urges women to take up opportunities provided by the government
The Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs(CoGTA), Honourable Andries Nel visited Theewaterskloof Local Municipality in the Western Cape Province as part of Women’s Month Celebration under the Theme “Women United in moving South Africa Forward.”
The Deputy Minister addressed about 1 000 participants of the Community Work Programme and the community of Grabouw who attended the Women’s Month celebration.
The Deputy Minister said that as we celebrate Women’s Month during August, it is important to reflect back on progress in empowering women and noted that 72% of CWP participants in Grabouw are women.
He further said that “In 1994, just 2,7% of members of the National Assembly were women. Today this stands at 41%. The National Cabinet consists of 43% women, with Deputy Ministers standing at 45,9%. After the 2011 local government elections, women representation increased to 38,4%, up from 28,2% in 2000. As we move towards the 2016 local government elections next year I hope that women occupy more positions at the local government level as well.”
Deputy Minister Nel also said that “This government has seen to it that women occupy more positions in many other spheres as well. In 1994 there were just two white women judges. Today women constitute 33% of all judges in our judiciary. There are now 61 women judges, of whom 48 are black women. This is cause for celebration. Women also constitute almost 40% of the Senior Management Service in the public service”.
He indicated that even though much progress has been made, the road ahead is still long when it comes to addressing problems such as gender based violence that are prevalent in our society.
The Deputy Minister also visited a number of projects that are implemented in partnership with CWP in Grabouw, one being run by the Child Welfare Organisation whereby about 18 people living with disabilities are offered training to develop their skills in making leather belts and handbags as well as other items the sale of which enhances their household income. He also visited one of the eleven Early Childhood Development Centres that are benefiting from the Community Work Programme.
The Deputy Minister addressed the ex matriculants who are now CWP participants placed in the School Support Programme as classroom assistants at various schools in Grabouw as well as farm schools. Other CWP participants are placed at Safe Houses to look after kids in distress.
“Over the years we have definitely improved the position of women in our country. I urge the many women presenment is certainly providing them,” he told the community of Grabouw.
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