Call for a gender-equal world on International Women’s Day

Today marks International Women’s Day, and Brand South Africa and Owami Women have used the day to call on South Africans to play their part in developing and empowering women.

SAnews.gov.za reports that Brand South Africa and Owami women, which is a women empowerment stakeholder of Brand South Africa, called on South African businesses, government and civil society to increase women economic empowerment initiatives to ensure equitable access to opportunities.

This as International Women’s Day seeks to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Founder of Owami Women, Bridget Nkuna, reportedly said the growth and development of a nation depends extensively on the empowerment of its women.

“Our quest as a nation for inclusive economic growth, including the empowerment of women, the youth, and other members of vulnerable groups should be designed to help us achieve the type of society where everyone has a better life,” said Nkuna.

In South Africa, women constitute a large proportion of the economically challenged, particularly in rural areas. The National Development Plan (NDP) acknowledges this by taking gender, along with race and geographic location into account by proposing a range of measures to advance women’s equality.

Brand South Africa’s CEO, Dr Kingsley Makhubela, said through various women development and empowerment initiatives, South Africa has begun to undo the dire conditions that marginalised women under apartheid.

“Our pro women policies and established institutions dedicated to women have over the years facilitated their economic development.

“The political will and leadership demonstrated by the South African government through the NDP 2030 underscores precisely what is required to help us reach our women and to reinvigorate them to partake in the socio-economic development pursuit of our nation,” said Makhubela.

This year’s International Women’s Day is commemorated under the theme “Be Bold For Change”, a call on all global citizens to help forge a more inclusive, gender equal world.

The African National Congress further marked the day under the “Be Bold For Change” theme.

In a statement, the party said, “This day provides an opportunity for the international community to actively participate in driving greater change for women and to accelerate gender parity globally.”

The party added that the day provided an opportunity to reflect on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

“We remain confident that, led by women themselves and working with all progressive allies to the women’s cause, South Africa can and will do more to dismantle structures of entrenched patriarchal oppression, accelerate gender parity, economic inclusion and build a country where all feel and are safe,” said the ANC.

Read the full statement here:

ANC STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/lypU1jEcTN

— African National Congress (@MYANC) March 8, 2017

Many have taken to Twitter to celebrate the day:

Here's how something as simple as cycling to school is a way to #BeBoldForChange https://t.co/DujpDg9FQK @Qhubeka

— Tamara Oberholster (@Tamara0h) March 8, 2017

Happy International Women's Day! Did you know male Knysna seahorses give birth to offspring? @NatureNews @SouthAfrica @knysnatourism pic.twitter.com/pvpCITPDPl

— Garden Route National Park (@GardenRoute_NP) March 8, 2017

En route to South Africa. Looking forward to celebrating the International Women's day in a couple of cities in South Africa. @theaawc pic.twitter.com/sVR9aHzGUZ

— Almas Jiwani (@AlmasJiwani) March 4, 2017

Happy International Women's Day 2017! #InternationalWomensDay #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/i4FjDV7y31

— Green Shoots (@GreenShootsEdu) March 8, 2017

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