Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
WOMEN AND DEPARTMENT JOIN HANDS TO GREEN SOUTH AFRICA 19 OCTOBER 1995
"THE GREENING OF SOUTH AFRICA" conference, with major rural sector women involvement, was officially opened by Prof. Kader Asmal. MP, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park today. The sponsorship by the Norwegian Government made it possible for women from the remotest villages in KwaZulu/Natal, the Northern Province, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, the Free State, Northern and Eastern Cape, North West Province and Gauteng to attend this conference.
One third of households in South Africa rely on fuelwood for their energy needs. Through the establishment of a social forestry culture in South Africa rural women, who sometimes spend up to seven hours each day to collect wood, will be freed from this burden and will be enabled to become involved in more productive activities such as child care, education, agriculture and participation in institutional matters.
The finalisation of the White Paper on Forestry is awaiting the recommendations made at this conference, both from the rural and women's perspective. This will reflect women's concerns and their contributions towards an equitable forestry policy. Furthermore, issues raised at the conference will be incorporated into the RDP's White Paper and thus into the national gender policy structure.
Prof. Asmal said, "In arranging this conference, the Department hoped to unleash a vast store of yet untapped energy to green and transform South Africa". He also stated that women and trees, viewed in combination, could become an extremely powerful force fen is the key to development, especially rural development."
The Department has made firm commitments to women:
- The full and active engagement of women in forestry. Women must assume increasing roles in all spheres and levels of forestry, also in the public service. - All statutory bodies in the forestry sector must comprise a minimum of 30% women at all levels. - Capacity building, education and training programmes related to social forestry will be implemented. - The implementation of public participation programmes for all forestry activities that could have a negative social or environmental impact. - A vigorous internal Departmental policy for the advancement of women in the Department; and - A much closer working relationship with NGOs to achieve the common objectives in our national development strategy.
Enquiries: Christa Barnard) (011) 397-2374 (World Trade Centre) Marie Ashpole )