Source:  The New Age
Throngs of women who attended the annual women’s parliament in Mafikeng on Friday called for economic engagement by women in order to mainstream their voice.
This sitting, which coincides with women’s month, ran under the theme: Working together to enhance women’s economic empowerment through skills development and sustainable jobs.

Nomvula Mayisela from Lekoko village said women were sidelined in agriculture. “The majority of land in this province falls under tribal authorities and a woman’s conditions do not allow her to easily get land. In many cases, land is lying fallow and no one seems to know its owners. We want government to assist women to get such land for productive use.”

Mayisela added that the government should identify all dormant projects in agriculture and give them to capable women.

“All we need is mentoring in business management, on how to draw up business plans and clarity between loans and grants so that we don’t become victims of the corporate world,” she said.

Mamiki Dithejane from Ventersdorp said young women needed government assistance to break the glass ceiling and traditionally established boundaries in trade and industry.

“Young women should be seen occupying serious positions without selling their bodies to get there. In business, government has to monitor influx of foreign products that end up choking small scale operators, who are often forced to close shop.

“Government should investigate ownership of vast tracts of unoccupied land in the peri-urban centres so that it’s given to young women so that they build their own properties,” she said.

Thato Mogotsi and Gloria Ngazire from Bojanala argued that the time had come for women to generate business from the arts and culture sectors.

Facilitator Rebecca Kasienyane said it was time women started implementing developmental ideas and the government would chip in to assist where it could.

 

 

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