Tomorrow we mark Women's Day, when we pay tribute to the women of 1956 who helped shape South African history, and all of the women who continue to shape South Africa and the Western Cape’s story going forward.
We honour the women who embody the vision of this government; who take responsibility for their own lives and those of others by dedicating time and resources to helping others, often under very difficult circumstances.
This province is filled with women who work tirelessly to raise children and to help others- teachers and nurses, community, domestic and care workers and women who help those less fortunate, and the vulnerable in our society.
We honour the women who embody values like courage, commitment, hard work and excellence, who fight for equality and justice. The women who have worked hard to build businesses that create jobs and opportunities for others. We honour the researchers, scientists, doctors, public servants, and engineers who are using their skills to build this country and improve the circumstances of others at the same time.
We also pay tribute to the women who work to make this province safer. So many of our Neighbourhood Watches are made up of women committed to making their communities safer. We pay tribute to all the women in law enforcement and in the justice community, who work tirelessly, and very often without thanks, for the benefit of the people of this province.
Today we also remember those who have been victims of senseless violence and call on men to do their part to make this province safer for the women who live in it.
There is no place in society for violence against women, and I call on men to treat women with respect and to hold themselves and each other accountable for their actions. We all need to work together to build a society that has zero tolerance for abuse and violence.
As the Western Cape Government, we have prioritized safety and continue to fight to make this province safer for everyone who lives in it.
We have also committed to creating educational and economic opportunities, so that young girls and women have the ability to go to school, develop skills and take up jobs that allow them to provide for themselves, or to build businesses that succeed.
Women in the Western Cape have the highest life expectancy in the country, and we are committed to providing women and girls with improved healthcare services and access to healthcare.
Today we thank women for the role that they have played in shaping our country and our communities, we thank them for their hard work, commitment, bravery and courage and we encourage them to pursue opportunities, harness their full potential and to create a life for themselves that has value.
Media enquiries:
Bianca Capazorio
Tel: 021 483 5004
Cell: 072 372 7044
E-mail: bianca.capazorio@westerncape.gov.za
