annual Women's Parliament and seminar
2 August 2007
For centuries, women in South Africa have emerged as primary catalysts for
protest against injustice and liberation of this country. They took a lead in
the fight for land after the proliferation of the Land Act, where they were
able to define their role within the struggle of the South Africa society. In
recognition of these attributes and women's role in ensuring a free democratic
society, Parliament will host its 4th annual Women's Parliament, from 27 to 29
August 2007 at Parliament.
The Women's Parliament is one of the many mechanisms that Parliament uses to
gauge strides made towards a realisation of the dream of a cohesive,
non-racial, non-sexist democratic society. The inception of this annual event
started with a small gathering of 75 ordinary women from all nine provinces in
August 2004 in the context of the ten-year celebrations of our democracy. The
aim of this gathering was to encourage these women to share their experiences
and the impact of ten years of democracy in their lives.
It is during this gathering that Parliament realised that women in the 21st
century are still facing challenges in education, environment, and access to
land and property despite their fundamental role in the liberation of this
country. It is through this historic gathering that the idea of the Women's
Parliament was borne, to create a platform for women from all walks of life to
understand and contribute to the principles and values that underpin our
democracy.
The three-day event will start with a seminar on 27 August 2007 to debate
the institutional mechanisms to promote gender equality, regional mechanisms
and international instruments that South Africa are signatory to and women in
decision-making positions. Subsequent to that, is the Women's Parliament from
28 to 29 August 2007 which will debate issues affecting women in South Africa
and report on the progress made since last Women's Parliament.
For further media inquiries contact:
Thundy J Booi
Media Management Unit
Tel: 021 403 3403
Fax: 021 403 3931
Cell: 074 114 1592
E-mail: tbooi@parliament.gov.za
Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature
2 August 2007
