SPEECH FOR WOMEN IN WATER AND ENVIRONMENT DIALOGUE GALA DINNER AT BIRCHWOOD HOTEL, BOKSBURG, GAUTENG
20 AUGUST 2012
Programme director
Honourable MEC’s present
CEO’s of Public Entities
Representatives of Women in Water and Environment Sectors
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening
First and foremost I would like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the Honourable Premier of Gauteng Nomvula Mokonyane.
I stand before you this evening on behalf of the champion for the Women in Water and Environment Dialogue, Honourable Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, who could not be here with us due to other pressing matters.
This dialogue happens now in the month of Augustwhich our Government and our nation celebrate annually as Women’s Month. This year we are commemorating Women's Month under the theme: “56 years of women united against poverty, inequality and unemployment.”.
It is in this month that South Africa pays tribute to and honours the heroines of the liberation struggle such as Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi, Bertha Qgowa and many other unsung heroines who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against oppressive apartheid laws.
Given the legacy of women’s oppression in general, and black women in particular, Government’s bias towards working class and rural poor women remains steadfast. Government has made significant progress in empowering women in the political, public and educational spheres, but the marginalization of poor women severely compromises progress.
Despite government programmes and interventions, women continue to be marginalized and discriminated against, in terms of economic opportunities, the labour market as well as access to land, credit, and finance. Despite the critical role women play in food production and management of natural resources, they have ownership of a very minute percentage of agricultural land.
It is,therefore, gratifying to see women from all walks of life being part of this greatest milestone of the historic inaugural Women in Water and Environment Dialogue. The theme for the Dialogue is “Addressing unemployment, poverty and inequality: together contributing towards the progressive future for women.”
This Dialogue heralds a new era and will further provide a platform to encourage women to share knowledge, expertise, skills and success stories to increase impact and benefits of those still developing. The building and strengthening of relationships will be achieved by bringing under one roof women professionals coming from diverse backgrounds such as Government, NGOs, private sector, experts, academics, business leaders and other women in South Africa.
The overarching objective of the Dialogue is to explore the extent of women's involvement in the water and environmental sectors and Green Economy business enterprises, assess level of support such as funding mechanisms, the challenges encountered and recommend solutions to help women get into mainstream economy.
Government is committed to ensuring that it takes collective action for the active development and implementation of policies and practices that address the needs of poor women. Hence we came up with initiatives such as the Women in Water and Environment Dialogue and many others to ensure that we realise the aforesaid government’s assertion.
It was equally humbling to witness the commitment and dedication shown by women during the breakaway sessions whereby deliberations on different thematic issues took place. The active participation of women during these sessions clearly indicated that when women set their minds on something they would do what it takes to realise their goals. This further signified that the Women in Water and Environment Dialogue will live up to its expectation of being a force to be reckoned with and a ground breaking session. The emancipation of women is no longer a far-fetched goal but something that is happening now in our lifetime!!!!
We are looking forward to receive feedback from different breakaway sessions. The feedback will give guidance andempower women in many facets of life. It will also be used as a barometer to assess the status of women’s involvement and empowerment in the water and environment sectors in an ongoing basis.
Women always show their mettle and continue to deliver on their formal and non-formal job responsibilities whilst excelling in their gender roles of being mothers, wives, partners and so on.
I am reminded of the recent appointment of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. We are proud of her and also have high expectations of her. We expect her to take our continents to its rightful position in world economic stage and we have every confidence that she will deliver on her mandate.
Let me end my short talk by quoting the first African woman Nobel Laureate and world renowned environmentalist the Late Professor Wangari Maathai,
I quote:
"Throughout Africa, women are the primary caretakers, holding significant responsibility for tilling the land and feeding their families. As a result, they are often the first to become aware of environmental damage as resources become scarce and incapable of sustaining their families."
Unquote
I would like to convey an apology on behalf of Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi, who could not make it to be here, she would have really liked to be here with us this evening.
Wa thintha abafazi!!! Wa thintha imbokodo!!!
I thank you.
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