North West to host Women’s Parliament Workshops, 24 – 28 Jul

13 July 2006

The North West Provincial Legislature will be hosting preparatory workshops
for the Women’s Parliament 2006 from 24 to 28 July 2006 all across the
province. Those selected from the workshops will go to National Women’s
Parliament 2006 in Cape Town 3 - 4 August and will represent the North West
Province. These participants in this historic Women’s Parliament will return
and present to the Provincial Legislature on 8 August 2006 at 10h00.

The objectives of Women’s Parliament 2006 are to mark Women’s month with a
gathering of mainly but not exclusively, women drawn from various identified
sectors of the North West Province and to examine the vexing problem of
trafficking in human beings, especially of women and girl-children and whether
it is a relevant concern for this province. Other objectives for this historic
event include reporting on progress since the last Women’s Parliament (2005)
and the creation of a platform for the creation of a multi-sectoral network on
important issues affecting the quality of life of women and the role of
Parliament in taking these forward. Finally, the workshops will explore
creative ways aimed at raising awareness and mobilisation against trafficking
of women and children.

The Women’s Parliament Workshops will take place in the Bojanala Platinum
District in Magalies on 24 July, in the Southern District in Ventersdorp on 25
July, in the Bophirima District in Ganyesa on 26 July in the Central District
in Atamelang on 27 July, culminating in the Provincial Workshop in Mafikeng on
28 July. All workshops start at 09h00 sharp and are by invitation only.

The main theme of this year’s Women’s Parliament is "All shall have equal
rights!" The main thematic area under discussion is protecting the rights of
women and the girl-child combating the trafficking of women and girl-children.
The sub-themes, understanding human trafficking especially of women and
children; women, children and the law; women, children and the media issues of
projection as well as mobilisation and awareness-raising and prevention,
protection and prosecution; practical suggestions for dealing with challenges
of human trafficking.

"We felt that we needed to get started on this process well in advance
because we want the women who will go to represent us at Parliament to be
thoroughly prepared. We believe in the inherent strength, intelligence, and
resilience of the women of this province. They will surely come up with a
strong and implementable idea that we can take forward and who knows that just
might be the idea that Parliament legislates," said a visibly animated
Honourable Yvonne Makume, Chairperson of Chairpersons and leader of the
delegation.

Enquiries:
Ms Roberta Makhambeni
Office: (018) 392 7158
Fax: (018) 392 7158
Cell: 082 779 4641
E-mail: roberta@nwpl.org.za

Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature
24 July 2006