David Masango
7 August 2006
Hundreds of women from across South Africa met in Bloemfontein in the Free State over the weekend to launch a new national network through which they can participate more fully in the country's development.
The Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa will represent SA women across a range of organisations, including faith-based bodies, traditional healers, researchers and women involved in policy formulation.
Speaking at the conference to launch the movement, conference convener Mavivi Myakayaka Manzini paid tribute to the government for what it had done for women's rights and its commitment to improving gender equality.
"Now it is time to see that those commitments are truly implemented," Myakayaka Manzini said. "We believe that without a strong women's movement these achievements can be eroded."
Also speaking at the launch, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka called on South African women to make a difference, including those in leadership and prominent positions.
"None of us started as national leaders," Mlambo-Ngcuka said. "We were nurtured and tolerated by many other people, our peers, and older women.
"We therefore must create room for younger women in all walks of life to allow them to lead and contribute. Let us mentor those who are younger. Above all, let's forget about fighting for positions and focus on the much-needed service."
The Deputy President said that "skills inadequacy and economic disempowerment traps women in poverty, while early childbearing often means an end to a young woman's education, and having a large family severely limits her job choices, work productivity, and mobility."
Mlambo-Ngcuka said women had to organise themselves around issues that mattered, such as education.
"We still have to fight to be CEOs, to be in boards and executive management. We have to use these positions to change things in private, public and social sectors once we are appointed and not maintain the status quo.
"Education for women therefore is a must; it is needed to change the position of women dramatically."
Investing in education, Mlambo-Ngcuka said, would lead to a decrease in teenage pregnancies and growing levels of dependency on the state.
"Without a better life for women there is no brighter tomorrow for all South Africans," the Deputy President said. "Without a better life for women in Africa, there is no brighter life for Africa."
Source: BuaNews
