NCPO Hosts Women's Rights Commemoration Event During Human Rights Month
The Northern Cape Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission hosted a commemorative event in honor of Human Rights Month, with a specific focus on women's rights, as International Women’s Day is also observed during this period. The event aimed to highlight key issues affecting women, including leadership, economic empowerment, gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Various stakeholders were invited to present their services that contribute to the empowerment of women in communities. Before these presentations, a keynote address was delivered by former Public Protector and current professor at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, Prof. Thuli Madonsela.
In her address, Prof. Madonsela emphasized that addressing gender-based violence requires more than just arresting perpetrators; prevention is of even greater importance. She also spoke about equality concerns, advocating for the inclusion of women in business and the equitable distribution of investment funds across the country to ensure that all communities benefit.
Sound Bite - Madonsela Final
Further stakeholder addresses included Lennie Coetzee, founder of the Women on Farms NGO, who provided a comprehensive overview of the services offered to active and aspiring female farmers. Siziwe Zulu, a representative of the National Empowerment Fund, explained how they support and fund women-owned businesses nationwide. Additionally, a representative from the South African Human Rights Commission elaborated on current strategies for sustainable gender advocacy.
