Girl power

Bela-Bela’s young socialite and entrepreneur, Semakaleng Mothapo, addressed women from different walks of life in Bela-Bela during an empowerment workshop focusing on eradicating patriarchal mindsets.

The event was held at the Bela-Bela Multipurpose Centre on Tuesday 29 May.

Members of the audience included ordinary citizens, emerging entrepreneurs and students.

Mothapo told The BEAT he was concerned about the broader global marginalization of women over many years, due to patriarchy.

He identified the need to host the workshop so women from all ages, status, and cultures could come together and share life experiences, challenges and ideas.

“South Africa is one of the countries with a progressive constitution, which endorses the rights of women and gender equality, and to demonstrate this, SA celebrates Women’s Month instead of just Women’s Day. Globally this is pretty great movement and it gives South Africa a great image in terms of women’s rights and opportunities,” he said during his formal address to the gathering.

“Although the gender equity policy exists in South Africa, women are not completely free from all types of violence. Gender inequality is a worrying factor because patriarchal traditions make men and other women believe that men are entitled to domination over women,” he said.

Mothapo further emphasized that patriarchal traditions also make women compete with each other, not for jobs or other accomplishments, but for the attention of men.

He said there was, however, signs of hope because civil organisations and government structures have developed initiatives to free women from oppression.

Mothapo is a social worker by profession.

– The BEAT