August 2, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
THE City is in the process of formulating a Women Development Strategy [PDF, 33Kb], which will inform programmes and policies of the city to promote the development and empowerment of the city's women and citizens.
This was announced at a press briefing held on Wednesday, 2 August in Braamfontein by the City's executive mayor, Amos Masondo.
"In broad terms, this Draft Women Development Strategy cuts across the entire spectrum of the council's activities," said Masondo.
"We are putting a lot of emphasis on economic development, women's safety, health and social welfare and advancing women's access to sport, leisure and cultural opportunities," explained Masondo.
Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo, with City Manager, Mavela Dlamini
(Photo: Enoch Lehung)
The City's Human Development Strategy provides the context for the draft Women Development Strategy by addressing gender and generational inequities.
"The City's Women Development Strategy, once finalised, will provide for a specific and dedicated city strategy that coherently binds existing and new initiatives that address women's development issues," Masondo said.
Beneficiaries and target groups of the Women Development Strategy are all the city's women, particularly those who have been socially and economically disadvantaged in the past and women who have been unfairly prejudiced in our society because of gender stereotypes or because of a lack of respect accorded to them because of gender stereotyping.
Regional workshops [PDF, 18Kb] to discuss the Draft Women Development Strategy will be held during August. It will be discussed with organised women's groups as well as women members of ward committees.
"After the completion of the workshops, it will take a month to finalise the strategy and to develop the implementation plan and the monitoring and evaluation mechanism," said Masondo.
"This work is expected to be complete by the end of September 2006 after which it would be discussed at the relevant council committees before seeking the final approval of council," he added.
The city will also support events celebrating Women's Month such as Usizo Ulwethu Senior Citizens Women's Week, a week-long event in Alexandra to commemorate the 50th anniversary of women's march to the Union Building in 1956, a Women's Day celebration in partnership with SAPS, and the launching of a women's sewing enterprise in the city.
"I am confident that these celebrations and the imminent introduction of our new strategy will confirm Johannesburg's status as a city where the rights and status of women are being respected and affirmed and as a city that is committed to the creation of new economic and social opportunities for all our people," concluded Masondo.
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