Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says the Public Procurement Bill provides the department with an opportunity to advocate and mainstream tangible models and interventions to redress the ongoing socio-economic exclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Chikunga commended the significant efforts by President Cyril Ramaphosa after signing into law the Public Procurement Bill last month, which aims to create a single framework that regulates public procurement, including preferential procurement, by all organs of State, with the necessary efficiency, cost-effectiveness and integrity.
“As a department, we will be bringing forward tangible interventions through which this legislation will serve to redress the longstanding and ongoing socio-economic exclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities,” Chikunga said.
Addressing a dialogue on Women, Democracy and Leadership in South Africa at the University of South Africa (UNISA) on Thursday, Chikunga also commended President Ramaphosa, as the Chairperson of the African Union in 2020, for putting forward a number of recommendations for the advancement of women on the continent, which have been adopted by AU Heads of State.
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Increase in support for women entrepreneurs
Chikunga also acknowledged a surge in the establishment, growth and support of women-owned businesses in key sectors, including energy, tourism, agriculture, the ocean economy, and manufacturing.
According to the most recent Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE), South Africa ranks as the second highest country in Africa in terms of its proportion of women-owned businesses and the formal support available for women entrepreneurs.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Women’s Entrepreneurship Report also revealed that women in countries like South Africa are among the most innovative and high-growth entrepreneurs in the world.
“There is sufficient evidence that reaffirms the importance of women entrepreneurs in contributing to the overall productivity and transformation of our economy through diversifying industries, innovation, and fostering economic resilience.
“In addition, women-owned businesses contribute to the creation of employment opportunities, promote inclusive supply chains, and stimulate local economies,” Chikunga said.
Women economic advancement in the Continent
Chikunga further underscored the importance of the adoption of the Decade for African Women’s Financial Inclusion and Gender Equality, 2020-2030.
“This is a critical initiative for the women of Africa, given that the lack of access to finances hinders their socio-economic progress, and thwarts their ability to have ownership and control over resources such as land, businesses and property,” Chikunga said.
She added that women’s access to markets continues to be a challenge for women on the continent, especially access to trade and global markets.
The Minister argued that the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) will open doors for global trade and markets for women, and “this is of huge importance to the women in South Africa to leverage on the opportunities this AfCTA promises for the economic empowerment and wealth creation for women in Africa”.
“Africa must be Africa’s biggest trading partner and demand for products across the continent offers African women the opportunity to be suppliers to this demand. Joint initiatives of pooling resources in this regard will help grow women businesses, provide the necessary skills and training required for this, and open markets and export trade opportunities,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
