Minister joins SALGA Women’s Commission in candlelight ceremony and lekgotla
As part of our Women’s Month commemorations, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz, addressed a gathering of 40 women councilors who form part of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Women’s Commission.
The Minister also took the moment to join the councilors in lighting candles in remembrance of all women who have died at the hands of gender-based violence and abuse.
The SALGA Women’s Commission is led by Cllr. Dr. Annelie Rabie, who is the current elected Provincial Commissioner.
The Lekgotla will see the women councilors from across the province discuss issues affecting them as public representatives. They will also explore approaches to gender mainstreaming within municipalities, and the establishment of a women’s multi-party caucus.
In his address, Minister Fritz expressed the importance of councilors working closely with the Department’s social workers based at our 45 local offices.
“I want you councilors to work closely with our social workers on the ground, who are based in the communities they serve, to tackle child abuse, gender-based violence and substance abuse directly”, said Fritz.
The Minister wished the Councilors well in their deliberations, and pledged the Department’s support in developing further partnerships, especially to tackle social ills such as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which affects the coastal town of Saldanha and other rural municipalities.
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