Women are urged to work together and empower one another in the workplace

The City of Johannesburg Citizen Relationship and Urban Management Region F hosted a Women’s Month event on August 18 at the Region F head office in Johannesburg.

The event was held under the theme of ‘gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’.

The event commemorated the history and fights that women have waged in achieving equality. It also brought to attention issues such as gender equality, sexual harassment at work, GBV, women in leadership and to show appreciation and acknowledge the greater participation of women in their professional and everyday lives.

Regional director for Region F, Irene Mafune, said: “As women, we need to build ourselves from within and always remember to be sensitive and kind to other women.”

She said women must appreciate themselves more and appreciate the crucial role they play in their communities.

“Women are going through a lot. Let us listen more to others and acknowledge the role we play in society.”

Gladys Mabunda, a social worker in the Department of Social Development, dealing with women empowerment and skills development, informed the women that the city has programmes such as the employee assistance programme to assist in GBV issues, sexual harassment, mental health and other issues.

“Women are not sharing because they are afraid of each other. Let us develop a culture of reporting these issues. No house has not been touched by GBV. Let’s work on restoring what has been taken away from us as women,” said Mabunda.

The speakers agreed that more should be done by institutions to raise awareness and address women’s issues. Women should work together and empower each other in the workplace. More could be achieved when women come together and lend a hand to one another.

The region will visit old-aged homes to celebrate Women’s Month with senior citizens in the region and to raise awareness on human rights issues in service delivery and issues affecting senior citizens.