South Africa: SA commemorates Women's Month

The Department, in collaboration with partners in government and the civil society, will be hosting activities throughout the country to commemorate women's achievements.

A government concept note states: "It is also during this period that the country takes stock of the challenges that persist in attaining women's empowerment and gender equality. It is therefore also the time when government departments identify necessary measures that need to be taken to address these challenges."

Currently the Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities is embarking on several interventions to improve the lives of women and girls based on priorities identified in line with five key national priorities and the 12 national outcomes of government.

Some initiatives identified include job creation, decent work and sustainable livelihoods for women, education for women and girls; women's health, especially decreasing maternal mortality and the negative impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls; addressing the growing scourge of gender-based violence; and rural women's development, land reform and food security for women and girls.

The Department is currently formulating a strategy for rural women's development intended to foster, accelerate and expedite the implementation of measures aimed at improving the lives of rural women. Whilst there is acknowledgement that the New Growth Path focuses on the poor and marginalised, who in most cases are African women and the disabled, there is a need to engender the New Growth Path.

The Department is coordinating the economic empowerment of women with key government departments, relevant stakeholders and development partners.