As South Africa celebrates women during the month of August, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has convened a number of events celebrating women, including the annual South African Women in Science Awards.

In the run-up to the prestigious women in science event, the Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, will hold a women's dialogue with young girls in the rural eDumbe region of KwaZulu-Natal.

Young women in this municipality bear the brunt of poverty, domestic violence and unemployment. The high school drop-out rate, particularly among young girls, is disturbingly high, and almost half of the young people in the area are unemployed.

The dialogue is aimed at inspiring young women to participate in local and economic development. The event also hopes to encourage girls to pursue subjects like mathematics and science. The Minister will also hand over dignity packs to the young girls.

The DST's Women's Month events are aligned with the government's initiatives and held under the theme celebrating Mama Albertina Sisulu.
 
The media are invited as follows:
 
Date:               16 August 2018
Time:              09:00-13:00
Venue:           Tholakele Primary School
 
For media enquiries and to RSVP, please contact: Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690 or Thabang.Setlhare@dst.gov.za, or Zama Mthethwa at 082 808 3956 or Zama.Mthethwa@dst.gov.za