Women Match, Commit to Developing Inventors
2 Sep 2008
2 Sep 2008
Pretoria - Thousands of women gathered in Pretoria on 29 August, matched to the Union Buildings to hand over a petition urging the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to help develop more women inventors and innovators.
The petition was delivered by SADC women to South Africa's Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka following the two-day SADC Women's Inventors and Innovators Symposium (SAWIIS) conference.
The conference was attended by women from all corners of the country and from the African Diaspora.
Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza read the petition before handing it over to Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka.
In the petition, women of the newly formed SAWIIS indicated that they were committed to creating a people's organisation that will demystify and create a culture of invention and innovation for the benefit of all.
"We are also committed to promote access to, and sharing of information, encourage regional and global partnerships and networks. Aim for quality and protection in producing development to ensure access to regional and global markets," read part of the petition.
The women also requested African governments to assist with soft finance and other funding mechanism; and facilitate private sector commitment through public private partnership.
After receiving and signing the petition, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka responded by saying the march was an indication that women were standing up for themselves.
She said it was important to devote more resources to empower women.
The march was led by Ms Didiza and Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica as well as Executive Mayor of Tshwane Gwen Ramokgopa, among other senior government officials.
The women sang songs such as: 'you strike a woman, you strike a rock' and 'my mother was a kitchen girl, and my father was a garden boy, that's why I am farmer, that's why I am a farmer'.
Ms Ramokgopa said it was an era for women to make a difference and to make their mark in fields which were historically meant for men.
"Let's unite and fight against inequality and the exploitation of women in the economic, science and other sectors.
"The sky is not the limit; you must strive to reach for the stars. Women are strong and they always move forward with fear, stop being the victim of the fear of unknown," she said.
Ms Didiza described the launching of SAWIIS as the laying down of a solid foundation.
"Through SAWIIS, we want to encourage our women to be innovative, so that whenever they encounter problems in their lives, they should be able to overcome such obstacles," she said.
The symposium, aimed at developing a global network of women inventors and innovators, was hosted by government, in partnership with the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWIIN).
"Boosting Sustainability through Innovation", was the theme of the symposium, which brought together over 1500 attendee's from businesses, major corporations, educational institutions and government agencies including women's groups from across world.
The petition was delivered by SADC women to South Africa's Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka following the two-day SADC Women's Inventors and Innovators Symposium (SAWIIS) conference.
The conference was attended by women from all corners of the country and from the African Diaspora.
Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza read the petition before handing it over to Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka.
In the petition, women of the newly formed SAWIIS indicated that they were committed to creating a people's organisation that will demystify and create a culture of invention and innovation for the benefit of all.
"We are also committed to promote access to, and sharing of information, encourage regional and global partnerships and networks. Aim for quality and protection in producing development to ensure access to regional and global markets," read part of the petition.
The women also requested African governments to assist with soft finance and other funding mechanism; and facilitate private sector commitment through public private partnership.
After receiving and signing the petition, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka responded by saying the march was an indication that women were standing up for themselves.
She said it was important to devote more resources to empower women.
The march was led by Ms Didiza and Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica as well as Executive Mayor of Tshwane Gwen Ramokgopa, among other senior government officials.
The women sang songs such as: 'you strike a woman, you strike a rock' and 'my mother was a kitchen girl, and my father was a garden boy, that's why I am farmer, that's why I am a farmer'.
Ms Ramokgopa said it was an era for women to make a difference and to make their mark in fields which were historically meant for men.
"Let's unite and fight against inequality and the exploitation of women in the economic, science and other sectors.
"The sky is not the limit; you must strive to reach for the stars. Women are strong and they always move forward with fear, stop being the victim of the fear of unknown," she said.
Ms Didiza described the launching of SAWIIS as the laying down of a solid foundation.
"Through SAWIIS, we want to encourage our women to be innovative, so that whenever they encounter problems in their lives, they should be able to overcome such obstacles," she said.
The symposium, aimed at developing a global network of women inventors and innovators, was hosted by government, in partnership with the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWIIN).
"Boosting Sustainability through Innovation", was the theme of the symposium, which brought together over 1500 attendee's from businesses, major corporations, educational institutions and government agencies including women's groups from across world.
Source: Bua News online
