According to Thembi Siweya, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, “many women remain marginalised and have no voice,” thus it is the responsibility of women leaders, influencers, and thought leaders to forge the path for others to follow.
Siweya praised the ladies of 1956 who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, as well as the many others who have paved the road for a brighter future for everyone, in her opening comments at the Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment and Advancement webinar on Monday morning.
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in collaboration with Brand South Africa, BintiAfrika Konnect, and Mail & Guardian, organised the event.
“As women, we must raise our voices and use our power as a group. I am aware that we have all overcome significant obstacles and that, despite our accomplishments, we continue to face extra difficulties just because we are women, Siweya stated.
According to her, “our difficulties have made us strong, and millions of women throughout the continent share this tenacity.”
It is necessary to dive more deeply into the difficulties women encounter and to consider solutions.
Our current objective is to pool our combined knowledge in order to develop novel approaches to empowering women while simultaneously advancing gender equality and inclusive development in all spheres.
The single most effective action that can be taken to establish a country, according to Siweya, is the empowerment of women.
She said that women are recognised for making investments in the health and education of their children, which has huge advantages in the fight against the triple threat of unemployment, inequality, and poverty.
“Women who are financially reliant on their husbands, dads, partners, or other family members are more likely to be the victims of domestic abuse, rape, incest, or other sexual assaults, as well as murder.
Women who are empowered have the financial flexibility to leave abusive situations, according to the Deputy Minister.
Mmabatlharo Nono Dihemo, Senior Gender Advisor at the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan, who participated in the webinar as well, said that gender disparity has become worse since the outbreak.
By 2021, there were less occupations available for women than for males. Women’s issues were seldom prioritised by governments when they reacted, she said.
According to Dihemo, the epidemic led to an increase in violence against women and girls as well. It was harmful to women’s financial stability and made already-existing disparities in unpaid care work worse.
Victoria Rowan, co-founder of Binti Afrika and editor of Eastern/Central Africa, emphasised the need of educating African girls so they may become knowledgeable, capable leaders in their communities.
The socioeconomic sustainability of girls and young women living in severe poverty, according to her, depends on a variety of initiatives that support their educational needs.
“Socio-economic rights of female kids will be empowered by legal protection, health care, and access to training and work skills so that girls may flourish and make a difference in their lives and their communities,” Rowan added.
GCIS Director-General Phumla Williams stated there are answers to some of the numerous issues that may bring about significant change in her concluding comments.
“The COVID-19 pandemic’s detrimental socioeconomic repercussions also run the risk of undoing the many strides we have achieved over the years to advance women. We must step up our efforts if we want to continue.
The full and equal integration of women into every facet of our society must be our goal, according to Williams.
She said that one of the best ways to improve the lives of women and children is to invest in women.
“Since 1994, our administration has worked to improve the status of women in our culture. In addition to being at the centre of our efforts to promote sustainable development, we have made gender equality and women’s empowerment a priority in our transformation strategy, Williams stated.