Alexandra Women’s Forum wants the government to reduce pension age to 55 years
ALEXANDRA – Women's forum claims that the government promised to reduce women' s pension age to 55 years.
The National Department of Social Development has denied that they ever promised or proposed in Parliament to reduce the pensionable age for women from 60 to 55 years.
This was after a newly formed community-based women’s organisation, the Alexandra Women’s Forum, claimed in its meeting held in Tsutsumani that the department has promised to reduce the pensionable age for women to receive a grant at age 55.
The spokesperson of the National Department of Social Development, Lumka Oliphant, told the Alex News that the department has never proposed or made such a promise to reduce women pensionable age to 55 years.
According to Betrice Sefa, the chairperson of the forum, the promise was made in Parliament by the minister of whom she can’t remember the name. “The government had promised and it was on the news years ago that the pensionable age for women in the country will be reduced to 55 years.
“We have gathered here today to discuss a strategic plan and logistics as we prepare to go and deliver the memorandum in parliament later this year. Our women are the most troubled and yet neglected by the government.
“Women are unemployed and some have lost their husbands who were providing for their families. Women are carrying the burden to provide for their families yet they are unemployed and denied economic opportunities.
“We are suffering, we are forgotten by our own government we voted into power.”
The members of the forum vowed to fight for the women in the country until the government fulfils what they claimed to be their constitutional right.
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