Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities observes International Women’s Day

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) joined the rest of the world in observing International Women’s Day on March 8.

International Women’s Day was observed under the United Nations’ theme, ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’ to recognise and celebrate the women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation.

International Women’s Day celebrates the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment and also critically reflect on those accomplishments and strive for a greater momentum towards gender equality worldwide.

It is a day to recognise the extraordinary acts of women and to stand together, as a united force, to advance gender equality around the world.

As part of leading activities of the day, the minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, led consultations on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW66) where she engaged with women farmers in Polokwane, Limpopo. CSCW66 will take place from March 14 to 25.

The United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) serves as a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The DWYPD, as the custodian of government’s women empowerment and gender equality mandate, is charged with coordinating South Africa’s participation at the UNCSW session.

International Women’s Day is an important day for South Africa, as the country remains a gender unequal society.

Most often seen in the media is a violent expression of this inequality in the form of gender-based violence, assault, abuse, harassment, and femicide; however, gender inequality persists in all spaces and permeates even the most progressive sectors of society.

According to DWYPD, women face discrimination and abuse in the world of work, places of worship, places of education and in their own homes.

Inequality is unsustainable; therefore, this year’s theme looks at building a social impact that can eradicate backwards thinking, all forms of prejudice and norms that seek to subjugate women in any way or form.

Equally, to achieve transformation, the department said society must address the different structural, social and economic barriers women, youth and persons with disabilities experience. The low levels of financial and technical skills affect access to funding and how projects are managed. “We must enhance access to information, capability development, mentorship, training and networks that support women,” adds DWYPD.

Press release: GCIS on behalf of Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

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