North West Premier, Ms Thandi Modise, says the provincial government will intensify its women empowerment programmes as part of building a just and equal society.
In her Women’s Month message, the Premier said the advent of the new democratic order in 1994, changed the conditions of women in a profound and positive way.
"The permanent reality for the majority of women before 1994 was that of extreme deprivation and impoverishment, with no possibility of any change for the better. With democracy and freedom, this is steadily withering away and all women have the possibility of tasting a better life.
"The creation of a non-sexist South Africa entails the movement away from a patriarchal society. It also implies gender equality, affirmation of women and greater participation by women in all spheres of life. This task is part of our constitutional obligations, and as government, we will never rest until this becomes a living reality for all women of our province,” said the Premier.
An array of measures, legal and institutional, introduced by the government to uphold gender equality in the past decade, have drastically altered the position and conditions of women in the province in more ways than it could be imagined. Since 1994, the government has been more responsive to the challenges faced by women.
The Premier added: “Whatever progress we have registered over the last 17 years is as a result of the heroic and persistent struggles waged by the women of our country to liberate themselves. During this Women’s Month, we will be honouring these exemplary women who sacrificed their lives and the comfort of their homes in order to help create a non racial, non sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.”
The Premier said democracy and freedom had empowered women to play significant roles in all spheres of life. "1994 marked the beginning of a journey to improve the status of women in both the private and public spheres", said the Premier, noting that before the ushering in of a new democratic order, women were simply ignored and marginalised. Since 1994, the provincial government has been working tirelessly to create a climate conducive for women empowerment.
"While much has changed and the tide has turned in favour of women empowerment since the dawn of democracy, more work still needs to be done to ensure that all women of our province taste the fruits of our democracy and freedom.
"Far too many women still live under conditions of poverty and deprivation. Far too many women still do not access government services. Far too many women are still victims of gender violence and economic exclusion.
"As we move forward to build an all inclusive and equal society, we must work practically and unceasingly towards promoting women empowerment and gender equality in all spheres of life.
"Paying lip service to women empowerment and gender equality undermine our collective commitment to the programme of building a non-sexist society. We must also guard against reversing the gains we have made over the last 17 years to build for ourselves the kind of society that frowns upon the marginalisation of women and gender inequality,” she said.
Source: North West Provincial Government
