Pretoria - As the country gears itself for the implementation of radical socio-economic transformation policies and programmes, women must take centre stage, says Minister of Women, Susan Shabangu.
Minister Shabangu said her focus in the next five years will be on ensuring that women are anchored in the economy and become major beneficiaries of interventions in both the public and private sectors.
The minister was speaking at a post State of the Nation Address (SONA) business briefing, in Cape Town, on Wednesday.
“The central message as we move South African women forward is – nothing about women without women. We need to move women from a status of being victims to victors by ensuring that they are not left behind.”
Minister Shabangu reasoned that the economic empowerment of women will also help address their social issues.
She indicated that her reconfigured department will form strategic partnerships with other government departments, agencies, the private sector and civil society, as well as, with women across various sectors of the economy to accelerate women’s access to productive resources.
Announcing his Cabinet on 25 May 2014, President Jacob Zuma mandated the Women’s Ministry with championing the achievement of women’s socio-economic empowerment and women’s rights.
During his SONA on Tuesday, the President also said that government will take forward the advances made in promoting women’s empowerment and development. – SAnews.gov.za
