Date: 03/08/2006
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Mahlangu: Launch of Women’s Month
Speech by Gauteng MEC for Local Government Qedani Mahlangu at the launch of Women’s Month: “Making Gauteng an even better place for women”
Programme Director;
Colleagues from Exco;
Women organisations;
Members of various religious denominations;
The people of Gauteng;
Ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
The president of World Bank, James Wolfensohn once retorted that, “The empowerment of women is the secret weapon of development in Africa.”
How ironic it is that these words were not uttered by a woman, but by a man who believes that women empowerment is the key. Allow me therefore, to pay tribute to our heroines who took the bull by the horns and marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 as part of their fight for liberation and freedom. As we formally launch the Women’s Month today, women are fully aware of the role played by our mothers and grandmothers in bringing apartheid into its knees.
President Thabo Mbeki and Premier Mbhazima Shilowa have on countless occasions reaffirmed their commitment to women empowerment. This is not just a talk-shop. If you take a cursory look at our national Cabinet and the Gauteng Provincial Government, more women have been appointed as Ministers, Deputy Ministers and MECs.
In our municipalities, the African National Congress (ANC) led the government and also backed its words with action by appointing six women mayors. The appointment of female mayors was mooted before the local government elections whereby the ANC advocated 50/50 representation of councillors. Women’s empowerment is one of the main priorities of South Africa’s democratic government and as a result, gender rights form the core of many pieces of legislation, government programmes and projects.
In reaffirming his commitment to women's empowerment in February this year, the Premier remarked that, “We will make every effort to ensure that women are prioritised as we deliver services, fight poverty, build infrastructure and transform government and the economy.
“As part of our commitment to improve the lives of women and to ensure easy access to capital, entrepreneurship and overall participation in economic activity, we will accelerate women's empowerment in construction, project management, the corporate sector and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) management.
“The provincial government is strengthening the participation of women as professionals and developers, as well as beneficiaries. Over 50 percent of households benefiting from housing subsidies are headed by women. In 2006, Gauteng launched the On-site Construction Contact Centres designed to assist with the training and empowerment of particularly women in the construction industry. Women will also benefit more from contracts awarded by the provincial government and special training will be provided to women in this regard. Our constitution affirms the equality of all.” Based on the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) strategy adopted in the province:
* 70 percent to be set aside for black people
* 15 percent for women owned, controlled and managed companies
* 15 percent for young people.”
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is taking practical steps to put this constitutional equality into practice, by making sure that all women's rights to equality become a living reality. Women's rights are human rights.
Women and economic empowerment
Women, especially black women, are given preference in employment opportunities within government. Other Gauteng government programmes that give women economic opportunities include:
* the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and projects providing short-term jobs and skills training for women
* development programmes and the implementation of employment equity programmes in the public service
* bursaries to ensure that young women have the opportunity to rise to greater heights within the economy, especially in the fields of maths, science and technology
* the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, which supports women-owned small, medium and micro businesses through targeted training and support interventions
* 5 000 artisans (boilermakers; welders; bricklayers etc) 2 500 of which will be women. Registration takes place in different construction centres as well as in the Multi Purpose Centres (PCC).
The GPG has set aside more than R25,7 billion to spend on infrastructure development over the next three years. This will cover the maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure and provision of new infrastructure.
An amount of R3 billion will be invested in 20 major townships in Gauteng to build better communities and upgrade local, social and economic infrastructure. The initiative will not only change the face of "these cities of the future" but will also boost short-term jobs through the EPWP as more economic opportunities will be created through tenders and contracts that prioritise youth, women, people with disabilities, unemployed graduates as well as SMMEs and local entrepreneurs.
Women's Awards
There are many unsung heroines who have dedicated their lives to social progress. To honour women in Gauteng who are making a contribution to the development of our democracy, socially and politically, the Premier introduced the annual Women's Awards for Outstanding Women Achievers.
The Department of Local Government will host the Women in Local Government Seminar on 24 August to discuss the role of local government on women empowerment and gender related issues. We will also hold regional dialogues.
Gender policy
Gender equality and development is also being entrenched through the allocation of budgets to women's empowerment and services aimed at improving the lives of women.
Poverty alleviation
Fighting poverty remains a top priority for the Gauteng government. Economic growth and job creation strategies are essential in rooting out poverty in the medium to long term. Through the Social Development Department, government provides immediate relief to the most vulnerable, particularly women, children, and the elderly, people with disabilities and people infected and affected by HIV and Aids.
The provincial government’s Social Development Strategy will play a key role in empowering women. Our approach is to ensure people-centred and sustainable development working in partnership with communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support and empower people who are unable to work and have special needs, such as the most vulnerable, women, youth in distress, children, the elderly and those affected and infected by HIV and Aids.
Gauteng has developed over 80 projects across the province to establish homestead food gardens. Women will directly benefit from an additional 150 community food garden projects.
Service delivery: We need ensure that women have access to clean and safe water; access to electricity as well as proper sanitation.
Women and education
Gone are the days when education was seen as unimportant for girls. Girl learners in Gauteng are increasingly benefiting from the provincial government's efforts to give every girl-child access to quality public education. An important part of this is the Gauteng Education Department's strategy to improve maths, science and technology education.
A girl-learner mathematics and science project will maximise the girl-child's learning in this critical area. This includes the opening of the Oprah Winfrey School for Girls in 2007, which will focus on maths, science and technology. This school will be a full board, full tuition, residential institution designed to grow the next generation of women leaders.
Girl learners and women in general will benefit from a range of Gauteng government programmes to provide quality education, including Gauteng Online, which is turning the digital divide into digital opportunity by introducing computers and access to email and the internet to all public schools over the next few years.
Adult Basic Education: A programme meant to respond to illiteracy problems caused by the apartheid regime. Women in their numbers should register and study in order improve their quality of life.
Health issues
The Gauteng health department places a great emphasis on improving services for women and is confident that this is having a positive effect. The following areas are some examples of initiatives to improve women's health.
* Antenatal care: This is available at no cost throughout the province. Postnatal services are also available to all women and their babies up to six weeks after delivery. 95 percent of women access this service in Gauteng.
* Prevention of maternal deaths: There has been a 33 percent decline in the proportions of early pregnancy related deaths since 1999. In Gauteng the maternal mortality rate is 112 out of 100 000 live births, down from 129 in 2001.
* Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer has been one of the most common causes of death amongst women. A province-wide cervical cancer screening project has been introduced at all clinics, offering three PAP smears at 10-year intervals to all women between the ages of 30 to 60 years.
* Contraceptive services: More than 2,7 million (60,9 percent) of women in the reproductive age group in Gauteng use public health facilities to access free birth control services. The aim of the contraceptive policy is to reduce unwanted pregnancies with a special focus on disadvantaged groups and adolescents.
* Caring for survivors of violence: Gauteng has 48 designated clinics for survivors of violence, as well as victim empowerment centres at all police stations.
* Prevention of mother to child transmission programme: The programme to prevent pregnant mothers from transmitting the HI virus to their babies at birth has been strengthened considerably. From health centres which started offering the service in May 2001, the programme has now been expanded to all hospitals and 48 clinics in the province. Services offered in the programme include voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, advice on the use of milk formula, continuous counselling, education and support for 18 to 24 months.
* HIV and Aids: In addition to programmes on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and post-rape prevention treatment for possible HIV infection, the provincial government runs and funds a wide range of programmes to prevent HIV and Aids, encourage voluntary counselling and testing, prevent discrimination and provide treatment and care for those infected and affected by HIV and Aids. These programmes all have a considerable impact on women.
Demand for the HIV/AIDS comprehensive care, including provision of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme has grown since its inception in 2004. Over 350 000 patients had been assessed by March 2006 and over 170 000 CD4 tests had been conducted.
Treatment was provided to over 41 000 people, including 6000 children and the number of facilities offering ART increased to 33. All sites provide nutritional supplements to people on ART.
Violence against women
Stamping out violence and abuse against women and children is high on the provincial government's agenda. Women continue to face sexual assault and other forms of abuse at school, at work, in their communities and at home. The provincial government's safety plan promotes partnerships between communities and the police to help stamp out social crimes including domestic violence. A training and development programme in partnership with the South African Management Development Institute and the South African Police Service is underway to deal with this scourge.
Hundreds of police officials have been trained to deal with domestic violence cases. Gauteng has also established Victim Empowerment Centres at police stations across the province to provide health, social development and legal support to victims of violence and abuse. The provincial government also works with "Men for Change" to capacitate men to deal with gender issues, including men's socialisation, violent behaviour, sexism and domestic violence.
These programmes support men to respect and speak out against women and child abuse. They encourage men to be part of the solution to deal with gender violence at home, at the workplace and in society. Educational and awareness programmes focusing on women's rights and services to empower women are run in partnership with community-based organisations, churches, business, civics, academic institutions and other stakeholders.
Ikhaya Lethemba (Home of Hope) was set up by the Gauteng government to create a safe and nurturing environment for the victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse to enable effective prosecution of perpetrators and facilitate re-entry of survivors into society. Every year, the province mobilises communities to mark the 16 days of activism campaign from 25 November to 10 December. The Gauteng housing department builds 16 houses in 16 days for victims and survivors of various forms of abuse.
Women in sport and culture
The Department is embarking on a mission to develop the 32 sporting hubs in the province to identify their needs and challenges, particularly in line with the province's seven priority sporting codes – athletics, cricket, rugby, boxing, swimming, football (including women's soccer) and netball. In addition to these are also indigenous games.
Women are given priority in arts and culture development. As part of a strategy to empower women, at least half of the participants in arts and craft exhibitions are women. The provincial government also promotes emerging women musicians and artists by facilitating opportunities for them to perform.
Women and democracy
Women in Gauteng are given an opportunity to directly influence government programmes and ensure the mainstreaming of gender issues in government through the provincial and regional women's dialogues and women's izimbizo. Women also played a pivotal role in the consultations to review the province as part of the African Peer Review Mechanism process. Women play a key role as Community Development Workers (CDW) and in Ward Committees across the province. Recently, we held a graduation ceremony of CDWs, and it was impressive to see a high number of women taking to the podium – that was true women empowerment.
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women March and we rededicate ourselves to making Gauteng an even better place for women. As we celebrate today let us rededicate ourselves towards building a strong women’s movement in the province. Together we should forge ahead in fostering transformation in the private sector i.e. business; media; arts and culture as well ensuring that there are women in decision making structures.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Gauteng Provincial Government
3 August 2006
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Mahlangu: Launch of Women’s Month
Speech by Gauteng MEC for Local Government Qedani Mahlangu at the launch of Women’s Month: “Making Gauteng an even better place for women”
Programme Director;
Colleagues from Exco;
Women organisations;
Members of various religious denominations;
The people of Gauteng;
Ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
The president of World Bank, James Wolfensohn once retorted that, “The empowerment of women is the secret weapon of development in Africa.”
How ironic it is that these words were not uttered by a woman, but by a man who believes that women empowerment is the key. Allow me therefore, to pay tribute to our heroines who took the bull by the horns and marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 as part of their fight for liberation and freedom. As we formally launch the Women’s Month today, women are fully aware of the role played by our mothers and grandmothers in bringing apartheid into its knees.
President Thabo Mbeki and Premier Mbhazima Shilowa have on countless occasions reaffirmed their commitment to women empowerment. This is not just a talk-shop. If you take a cursory look at our national Cabinet and the Gauteng Provincial Government, more women have been appointed as Ministers, Deputy Ministers and MECs.
In our municipalities, the African National Congress (ANC) led the government and also backed its words with action by appointing six women mayors. The appointment of female mayors was mooted before the local government elections whereby the ANC advocated 50/50 representation of councillors. Women’s empowerment is one of the main priorities of South Africa’s democratic government and as a result, gender rights form the core of many pieces of legislation, government programmes and projects.
In reaffirming his commitment to women's empowerment in February this year, the Premier remarked that, “We will make every effort to ensure that women are prioritised as we deliver services, fight poverty, build infrastructure and transform government and the economy.
“As part of our commitment to improve the lives of women and to ensure easy access to capital, entrepreneurship and overall participation in economic activity, we will accelerate women's empowerment in construction, project management, the corporate sector and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) management.
“The provincial government is strengthening the participation of women as professionals and developers, as well as beneficiaries. Over 50 percent of households benefiting from housing subsidies are headed by women. In 2006, Gauteng launched the On-site Construction Contact Centres designed to assist with the training and empowerment of particularly women in the construction industry. Women will also benefit more from contracts awarded by the provincial government and special training will be provided to women in this regard. Our constitution affirms the equality of all.” Based on the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) strategy adopted in the province:
* 70 percent to be set aside for black people
* 15 percent for women owned, controlled and managed companies
* 15 percent for young people.”
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is taking practical steps to put this constitutional equality into practice, by making sure that all women's rights to equality become a living reality. Women's rights are human rights.
Women and economic empowerment
Women, especially black women, are given preference in employment opportunities within government. Other Gauteng government programmes that give women economic opportunities include:
* the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and projects providing short-term jobs and skills training for women
* development programmes and the implementation of employment equity programmes in the public service
* bursaries to ensure that young women have the opportunity to rise to greater heights within the economy, especially in the fields of maths, science and technology
* the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, which supports women-owned small, medium and micro businesses through targeted training and support interventions
* 5 000 artisans (boilermakers; welders; bricklayers etc) 2 500 of which will be women. Registration takes place in different construction centres as well as in the Multi Purpose Centres (PCC).
The GPG has set aside more than R25,7 billion to spend on infrastructure development over the next three years. This will cover the maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure and provision of new infrastructure.
An amount of R3 billion will be invested in 20 major townships in Gauteng to build better communities and upgrade local, social and economic infrastructure. The initiative will not only change the face of "these cities of the future" but will also boost short-term jobs through the EPWP as more economic opportunities will be created through tenders and contracts that prioritise youth, women, people with disabilities, unemployed graduates as well as SMMEs and local entrepreneurs.
Women's Awards
There are many unsung heroines who have dedicated their lives to social progress. To honour women in Gauteng who are making a contribution to the development of our democracy, socially and politically, the Premier introduced the annual Women's Awards for Outstanding Women Achievers.
The Department of Local Government will host the Women in Local Government Seminar on 24 August to discuss the role of local government on women empowerment and gender related issues. We will also hold regional dialogues.
Gender policy
Gender equality and development is also being entrenched through the allocation of budgets to women's empowerment and services aimed at improving the lives of women.
Poverty alleviation
Fighting poverty remains a top priority for the Gauteng government. Economic growth and job creation strategies are essential in rooting out poverty in the medium to long term. Through the Social Development Department, government provides immediate relief to the most vulnerable, particularly women, children, and the elderly, people with disabilities and people infected and affected by HIV and Aids.
The provincial government’s Social Development Strategy will play a key role in empowering women. Our approach is to ensure people-centred and sustainable development working in partnership with communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support and empower people who are unable to work and have special needs, such as the most vulnerable, women, youth in distress, children, the elderly and those affected and infected by HIV and Aids.
Gauteng has developed over 80 projects across the province to establish homestead food gardens. Women will directly benefit from an additional 150 community food garden projects.
Service delivery: We need ensure that women have access to clean and safe water; access to electricity as well as proper sanitation.
Women and education
Gone are the days when education was seen as unimportant for girls. Girl learners in Gauteng are increasingly benefiting from the provincial government's efforts to give every girl-child access to quality public education. An important part of this is the Gauteng Education Department's strategy to improve maths, science and technology education.
A girl-learner mathematics and science project will maximise the girl-child's learning in this critical area. This includes the opening of the Oprah Winfrey School for Girls in 2007, which will focus on maths, science and technology. This school will be a full board, full tuition, residential institution designed to grow the next generation of women leaders.
Girl learners and women in general will benefit from a range of Gauteng government programmes to provide quality education, including Gauteng Online, which is turning the digital divide into digital opportunity by introducing computers and access to email and the internet to all public schools over the next few years.
Adult Basic Education: A programme meant to respond to illiteracy problems caused by the apartheid regime. Women in their numbers should register and study in order improve their quality of life.
Health issues
The Gauteng health department places a great emphasis on improving services for women and is confident that this is having a positive effect. The following areas are some examples of initiatives to improve women's health.
* Antenatal care: This is available at no cost throughout the province. Postnatal services are also available to all women and their babies up to six weeks after delivery. 95 percent of women access this service in Gauteng.
* Prevention of maternal deaths: There has been a 33 percent decline in the proportions of early pregnancy related deaths since 1999. In Gauteng the maternal mortality rate is 112 out of 100 000 live births, down from 129 in 2001.
* Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer has been one of the most common causes of death amongst women. A province-wide cervical cancer screening project has been introduced at all clinics, offering three PAP smears at 10-year intervals to all women between the ages of 30 to 60 years.
* Contraceptive services: More than 2,7 million (60,9 percent) of women in the reproductive age group in Gauteng use public health facilities to access free birth control services. The aim of the contraceptive policy is to reduce unwanted pregnancies with a special focus on disadvantaged groups and adolescents.
* Caring for survivors of violence: Gauteng has 48 designated clinics for survivors of violence, as well as victim empowerment centres at all police stations.
* Prevention of mother to child transmission programme: The programme to prevent pregnant mothers from transmitting the HI virus to their babies at birth has been strengthened considerably. From health centres which started offering the service in May 2001, the programme has now been expanded to all hospitals and 48 clinics in the province. Services offered in the programme include voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, advice on the use of milk formula, continuous counselling, education and support for 18 to 24 months.
* HIV and Aids: In addition to programmes on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and post-rape prevention treatment for possible HIV infection, the provincial government runs and funds a wide range of programmes to prevent HIV and Aids, encourage voluntary counselling and testing, prevent discrimination and provide treatment and care for those infected and affected by HIV and Aids. These programmes all have a considerable impact on women.
Demand for the HIV/AIDS comprehensive care, including provision of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme has grown since its inception in 2004. Over 350 000 patients had been assessed by March 2006 and over 170 000 CD4 tests had been conducted.
Treatment was provided to over 41 000 people, including 6000 children and the number of facilities offering ART increased to 33. All sites provide nutritional supplements to people on ART.
Violence against women
Stamping out violence and abuse against women and children is high on the provincial government's agenda. Women continue to face sexual assault and other forms of abuse at school, at work, in their communities and at home. The provincial government's safety plan promotes partnerships between communities and the police to help stamp out social crimes including domestic violence. A training and development programme in partnership with the South African Management Development Institute and the South African Police Service is underway to deal with this scourge.
Hundreds of police officials have been trained to deal with domestic violence cases. Gauteng has also established Victim Empowerment Centres at police stations across the province to provide health, social development and legal support to victims of violence and abuse. The provincial government also works with "Men for Change" to capacitate men to deal with gender issues, including men's socialisation, violent behaviour, sexism and domestic violence.
These programmes support men to respect and speak out against women and child abuse. They encourage men to be part of the solution to deal with gender violence at home, at the workplace and in society. Educational and awareness programmes focusing on women's rights and services to empower women are run in partnership with community-based organisations, churches, business, civics, academic institutions and other stakeholders.
Ikhaya Lethemba (Home of Hope) was set up by the Gauteng government to create a safe and nurturing environment for the victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse to enable effective prosecution of perpetrators and facilitate re-entry of survivors into society. Every year, the province mobilises communities to mark the 16 days of activism campaign from 25 November to 10 December. The Gauteng housing department builds 16 houses in 16 days for victims and survivors of various forms of abuse.
Women in sport and culture
The Department is embarking on a mission to develop the 32 sporting hubs in the province to identify their needs and challenges, particularly in line with the province's seven priority sporting codes – athletics, cricket, rugby, boxing, swimming, football (including women's soccer) and netball. In addition to these are also indigenous games.
Women are given priority in arts and culture development. As part of a strategy to empower women, at least half of the participants in arts and craft exhibitions are women. The provincial government also promotes emerging women musicians and artists by facilitating opportunities for them to perform.
Women and democracy
Women in Gauteng are given an opportunity to directly influence government programmes and ensure the mainstreaming of gender issues in government through the provincial and regional women's dialogues and women's izimbizo. Women also played a pivotal role in the consultations to review the province as part of the African Peer Review Mechanism process. Women play a key role as Community Development Workers (CDW) and in Ward Committees across the province. Recently, we held a graduation ceremony of CDWs, and it was impressive to see a high number of women taking to the podium – that was true women empowerment.
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women March and we rededicate ourselves to making Gauteng an even better place for women. As we celebrate today let us rededicate ourselves towards building a strong women’s movement in the province. Together we should forge ahead in fostering transformation in the private sector i.e. business; media; arts and culture as well ensuring that there are women in decision making structures.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Gauteng Provincial Government
3 August 2006
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