Shining a light on women in transport
The discussion aimed to address issues relating to gender-based violence (GBV), disability, women empowerment and transformation in the transport network environment.
Increased female participation remains beneficial for the economy at large and transport is not different.
To shine a light on the importance of having female players in the private and public sector, Consumer News and Business Channel Africa (CNBC Africa) and the Department of Transport partnered with the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) to host a panel discussion on 25 August.
Deputy Transport Minister Dikeledi Magadzi was joined by an all-female line-up of executives which included Gautrain Management Agency executive Nomsa Sivetshe, RSR acting CEO Tshepo Kgara, CEO of Prasa Rail Nosipho Damasane, Transnet Freight Rail chief executive Sizakele Mzimela and African Union (AU) commissioner in charge of infrastructure, energy, ICT and Tourism Dr Amani Abou-Zeid.
The discussion aimed to address issues relating to gender-based violence (GBV), disability, women empowerment and transformation in the transport network environment.
According to the deputy minister, this partnership with the RSR was in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for all departments to amplify their efforts to combat gender-based violence and the fight for women empowerment in the public and private sectors. “[While] we acknowledge the continuous issue of GBV, we must always remember that this is a societal problem. As such, we as a community must come up with solutions together to offset or eradicate the problem,” said Magadzi.
AU commissioner Abou-Zeid added that definition violence against women goes far beyond a physical nature. “What is more violent than keeping women poor? What is more violent than denying women access to their rightful positions or benefits? This is also violence and we have to acknowledge that,” she said.
According to Abou-Zeid the transport industry in Africa is a multi-billion dollar industry and although it is estimated at $100–130 billion a year women take up a very minimal part of the industry.
Magadzi added that the local sector continues to make positive strides in providing the support that women require in the sector; this includes creating an environment which may encourage more women to join the sector.
“It shouldn’t all just be talk; it has to go hand in hand with empowerment and practice. This combination will allow us to collaborate with women and create that can develop their skills,” Magadzi concluded.
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