August is women’s month. This August women celebrate the 60th anniversary of the women's march on the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against passes for women.

Over the course of the last 60 years women have taken small and large steps towards advancing the rights of women.

Today, South African women have achieved a level of gender equality that has only been accomplished in other countries after many decades of democracy.

Our cabinet and legislatures are among the top ten most representative in the world.

Four in ten cabinet ministers are women and four in ten national MPs are women.

In school girls have equal access to education and are performing at improved levels in many subjects.

In higher education women number more than half of the student body.

Women make up almost four in ten of the Senior Management Service in the public service and overall women comprise more than half of employees in the Public Service.

Yet the evidence of continuing gender inequality in some of our key institutions of governance clearly indicates that a great deal more has to be done in South Africa to ensure that women practically feel safe and respected as equal citizens of our country.

Good evening and a warm welcome to you all.

The Women in Science Awards is always a special event. It's a celebration of the achievements of women in science, and it is a reminder that we will not realise the full scientific potential of our country until all our young scientists are able to enjoy access to the best facilities and education.

The Women in Science Awards is not only a special event. It also makes a more subtle contribution. It allows young women to dream of a life in science. Far too many girls are told or are allowed to assume that their dreams are irrelevant.

The awards alternate between Life Sciences in one year and Physical and Engineering Sciences in another year. This year’s awards are in the Physical and Engineering Sciences. The Social Sciences and Humanities and indigenous knowledge awards are made each year.

I congratulate all the nominees and the awardees.

The finalists and winners will be invited to participate in science awareness campaigns led by the Department to serve as role models for other women, particularly young girls.

I wish to thank Dr  Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for agreeing to be our guest speaker and I look forward to hearing her remarks.

Once more, welcome to you all and do enjoy this evening.

I thank you.