A webinar hosted by the City’s Health and Social Development MMC has called on women in the highest echelons of leadership to afford their peers and ilk a platform to grow in restricted and limited socio-economic spaces.
The webinar heard various voices of trendsetters and opinion leaders that women need not be apologetic about their position in society and should continue to air their views and shine the light on female empowerment.
Cllr Eunice Mcgina says discussions of issues affecting women are enriching and chart the way forward on advancing women’s struggles.
As South Africa enters the last lap of Women’s Month, the City brought together a stellar group of women leaders to help bring the curtain down on this significant national celebration.
Panellists included former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, and liberation struggle stalwart and one of the leaders of the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings, Sophie de Bruyn.
The acting portfolio head of Corporate and Shared Services and Public Safety MMC, Cllr Mally Mokoena kicked off discussions by paying tribute to De Bruyn and all the brave women who paved the way for the country’s emancipation.
“A lot of women went through so much to ensure that their children have better lives. I like the fact that Mama Sophie de Bruyn said that the young generation should learn from their generation because we also learned a lot from women like Mama Sophie,” says Cllr Mokoena, who called for women to be honoured throughout the year and not only in August.
Eighty-two-year-old De Bruyn, who led the march at the tender age of 18 years, acknowledged the role of hundreds of women in South Africa’s liberation. “The women of my generation risked their lives for the life and freedom that we share today. I am proud of the efforts that my generation have made.”
Mlambo-Ngcuka urged fellow participants and South Africans at large to acknowledge the stark poverty that is still endured by millions of women, especially in rural areas. “Women’s poverty is a reality. We are asking the government and business to pay attention to the needs of women. We also need men to stand up, not be bystanders and help fight GBV.”
Former #FeesMustFall activist and current Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Fasiha Hassan agitated for more women decision-makers. “It is wrong to be happy that you are the only woman at the table. Women in leadership need to bring more women in this space.”
Student activist Zulaikha Patel called on the government to provide free sanitary towels for young girls and women as menstruation was not a choice but a biological function.
