Premier of the province, CDE Hazel Jenkins
MEC for Sports Arts and Culture, Ms Pauline Williams
Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Lulu
Xingwana.
Minister of basic Education Angie Motshekga Other Ministers and Deputy Ministers present Members of Parliaments (MPs) and Members o Provincial Legislature (MPLs)
Ms Thembi Phika, and Ms Mmabatho Ramogoshi
Comrades
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
Firstly, let me congratulate the Premier and the provincial leadership for hosting the pre-launch of the International Women’s Day. It is also appropriate to acknowledge the contribution of the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance partners.
The contribution of the ANCWL in particular, is worth mentioning, as the League has over the years mobilised women of South Africa, to reflect on gains made and to re- strategise about how best to speedily realise outstanding challenges.
This year is significant as it marks the centenary of International Women’s Day, since its launch, in 1911, in Europe.
This event is taking place at the backdrop of the, recent 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which, was held at the United Nations (UN), in New York, last week. One of the highlights of this year’s session was the launch of the UN Women, a special division under the Secretary General, H.E., Mr Ban Ki-moon.
Delegates were informed that, UN Women is the UN organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women a global champion for women and girls, was established to accelerate progress on meeting women’s needs worldwide.
As of today, therefore, it is important to be conscious of the fact that, as women of South Africa, gathered here in Kimberly, we have a backing right at the UN. Our struggles are global struggles.
Also of importance is to remember that, last year, the President of the ANCWL, Ms Angie Motshekga, made history, by making a powerful presentation during the high level ANC Conference, on the gender revolution within the broader transformation agenda of the ANC and the alliance partners.
The United Nation’s chosen theme for celebrating the Centenary of the International Women’s Day this year is entitled, “Equal access to Education, Training and Science and Technology: Pathway to decent work for women.”
Progress made by our government
As we are all aware, the ANC Government has created opportunities in society for Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, through the adoption of the Gender Protocol, for gender equality and the commitment to not less than 50% quota for women in all decision-making structures in SADC countries by 2015.
In 2009, the South African government established the Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, with a mandate to monitor progress on gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of vulnerable groups including the disabled people and children.
The country has adopted a national policy framework for the empowerment of women and gender equality. These and various other government policies on the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women affirm the principle of gender equality as a key national goal.
Other initiatives are: the Technology for Women in Business, (TWIBS), established in 1998 with the aim to harness technology as a means to access mainstream business activities.
Techno-girl is a strategic project which exposes maths and science pupils to careers in engineering and technology.
The techno-girl project was presented during the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women by our Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Lulu Xingwana, the project was well received and it is likely to be replicated by many other countries in the world.
Equal access to education: challenges facing women in a growing economy
Coming back to my given topic, as part of these celebrations, we have to reflect on progress made in striving for equal access to Education and also reflect on challenges facing women in a growing economy.
The United Nations Girls Education Initiative (UNGEI), which was established in 2000 refers to education as an instrument which fulfils aspirations and improves life skills and social interaction amongst women. It is based on a premise that, education gives girls and women, in largely patriarchal societies, access to tools, which have the potential to transform the quality of their lives.
The challenge
Statistics from the National Land Committee point out that, 60% of women live in poverty compared to 41% of men, 40% of the country’s households are headed by women,
75% of these are classified as poor, and 60% and 48% of rural and urban African women respectively are unemployed, (Khuthaza–Women and Construction; 2011@ http://www.khuthaza.org.za). Such numbers are a cause for concern, but also ring alarm bells as to how much work lies ahead.
South Africa has positioned itself as a player not only in the Agrarian Economy, but also in knowledge driven economies.
It is appropriate to mention briefly, our current economy driving sectors:
- Infrastructure Development – data released by statistics South Africa, 2010, indicates that in construction, meaning, amongst others, the construction of roads and rails networks, the industry is grossly dominated by men. Males make up to 91% whilst females occupy nine percent. Out of the 9%, black women beneficiaries are at the bottom end. Government has set aside R800 billion for infrastructure development, and the big question is what percentage of the allocated amount will in monetary terms directly benefit women.
- Green Economy - As we are all aware the world is moving towards a Green Economy. During the recent budget vote, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, indicated that R800 million has been set aside over the next three years for initiatives in this regard. We should do everything possible to ensure that as many women as possible, including those in rural and farming communities, access the R800 million budget, through agricultural projects, and all other alternative forms of renewable energy, such as the installation of solar panels, wind turbines, and the use of bio-fuels.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure - Government has allocated R450 million to the Department of Communications to develop a broadband implementation strategy and deliver broadband infrastructure and services in underserviced areas. Women need to identify and nurture ICT innovations from inception to commercialisation. There are opportunities for infrastructure development in broadcasting, telecommunications, e-business, radio and satellite services.
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO’s) – The Contact centre and Business Process Outsourcing industry has enjoyed unprecedented growth in recent years. Government has recognised BPO’s as one of the top three priority sectors in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). As women leaders, we have to ensure that women access opportunities for job placements and identify other industries which may require BPO services and establish them.
- Manufacturing – Government has identified manufacturing as labour intensive and an excellent source of job creation. For the current budget vote, the Minister of Finance allocated an amount of R20- billion which is to be used for tax allowances and tax breaks. The allocated funds would promote investments, expansions and upgrades in South Africa's manufacturing sector. Kimberly is in the history books for diamond mining, yet only a small margin of women in this country, if any, can account for crafting the diamonds encrusted in the rings and jewelry you are wearing today.
The skills development pipeline
Like the women of 1956, we have to ensure that, women are not left behind in the skills development revolution, as brought about by the creation of the Department of Higher Education and Training, in 2009.
The department’s mandate;
- is to establish credible institutional mechanism for skills planning
- increase access to programmes leading to intermediate and high level learning.
- increase access to occupationally-directed programmes in needed areas, thereby expanding the availability of intermediate level skills.(special focus on artisan skills)
- increase access to high-level occupationally directed programmes in needed areas
- enhance research development and innovation in human capital for a growing knowledge economy.
The Department of Higher Education and Training, got a boost from the budget of 2011:
- over R20 billion has been allocated to Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA’s)
- R5 billion to the National Skills Fund (NSFAS)
- further Education and Training Colleges have been allocated R14 billion
The allocated budget is for creating a skills development pipeline, starting at a community level, through the creation of industrial parks to the multiplication of artisans. The budget has made a breakthrough in the history of this country by ensuring that all needy students in our FET colleges are fully paid for. We are in the process of reviving teacher training colleges, so as to increase the number of suitably qualified educators who will become a critical force in producing students who will be competitive in the workplace
Our specialised colleges like agricultural and engineering colleges will be strengthened so as to grow the number of students who could be economically active in those sectors.
We are also in the process of building two new universities, one in this province, in the city of Kimberly, and another one in Mpumalanga.
We also have to support the development of research skills for the development agenda and science and technology in general.
It is my wish and hope, that as an outcome of this dialogue, we come up with clear proposals of how women could be fast tracked within the skills development pipeline so as to be key players in the economy generating projects discussed above.
The Decade of the African Women, to be launched tomorrow, will further empower us to consolidate the African Women agenda across the continent.
Finally, let me remind you of the words of former president Nelson Mandela during the opening of parliament in 1994, “Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression” Wathinta abafazi wathintha imbokodo,
Break out in song….igama lamakhosikazi malibongwe…….
Allow me to wish all women of South Africa, a productive International Women’s day, tomorrow.
I thank you.
Source: Department of Higher Education and Training
