6 September 2007
Hundreds of Women from all parts of the country converged in the Greater
Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo province, this week to participate in the Women
in Provincial and Local Government summit that took place on Monday, 3 to
Wednesday, 5 September.
The aim was to collectively find solutions to issues that stand in the way
of the emancipation of women of South Africa. The objectives of the summit in
which the Department of Provincial and Local Government (the dplg) partnered
with the South African Local Government Association (Salga), Eskom Foundation
and the German Technical Co-operation Agency (GTZ) were to:
* assess progress made with regard to gender equity and equality in local
government,
* facilitate the involvement of men and traditional leaders in promoting gender
equality as well as engendering service delivery,
* raise awareness on the constitutional roles and responsibilities of
municipalities and traditional leadership structures to advance gender
equality,
* encourage dialogue and cooperation between political and administrative
office bearers,
* facilitate skills development.
At the summit, Deputy Minister for Provincial and Local Government Nomatyala
Hangana launched the Gender Policy Framework for Local Government. During her
address at the summit, the Deputy Minister reminded delegates of the history
and role of women in the struggle for liberation in South Africa. However, the
Deputy Minister noted that women continue to be victims even during the post
apartheid era.
It is hoped that the Gender Policy Framework will provide guidance and
support to the sector around Gender Mainstreaming and women empowerment. She
called upon every men and woman to be involved in issues related to gender and
women empowerment.
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
6 September 2007
Source: Department of Provincial and Local Government (http://www.dplg.gov.za)
