August 4, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
HUNDREDS of women dressed in colourful church outfits braved the icy cold on Thursday, 3 August, and made their way to Regina Mundi Church in Soweto for the launch of Women's Month.
The month-long celebration was officially kicked off with an address by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Buyelwa Sonjica, which was followed by the lighting of candles.
Minister for minerals and energy, Buyelwa Sonjica, women's march veteran Amina Cachalia and Gauteng MEC for local government, Qedani Mahlangu
August 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic march of women to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against the carrying of passes. One of those women, Amina Cachalia, was present at the launch.
"We salute the 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings, we salute the leaders who organised the march under very trying circumstances," said Sonjica.
However, Sonjica pointed out that "whilst 9 August has earned historic significance for the celebration of the defiant march by thousands of gallant women to the Union Buildings, the lion's den of apartheid, it is also a sad reminder that women still remain marginalised and discriminated against."
She added: "We want to invoke the spirit of those women to help strengthen our resolve in dealing with present challenges, poverty, under-development, death through diseases like HIV/Aids, TB and malaria."
Other officials present at the launch included the MEC for local government, Qedani Mahlangu, the MEC for health, Brian Hlongwa and the MEC for sport, recreation, arts and culture, Barbara Creecy.
"This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this march and we rededicate ourselves to making Gauteng an even better place for women," said Mahlangu.
"As we celebrate today let us rededicate ourselves towards building a strong women's movement in the province. Together we should forge ahead in fostering transformation in the private sector, business, media, arts and culture as well as ensuring that there are women in decision-making structures," she added.
Gauteng will co-ordinate a series of activities throughout August highlighting government programmes aimed at improving women's lives and promoting women's empowerment.
These include regional women's dialogues, women's imbizo and departmental events highlighting projects and programmes for women which aim to encourage public participation.
In his speech opening the Gauteng Legislature in February 2006, Premier Mbhazima Shilowa said: "We will make every effort to ensure that women are prioritised as we deliver services, fight poverty, build infrastructure and transform government and the economy.
"As part of our commitment to improve the lives of women and ensure easy access to capital, entrepreneurship and overall participation in economic activity, we will accelerate women's empowerment in construction, project management, the co-operative sector and SMME management."
Sonjica encouraged women to say no to unprotected sex and to educate children to talk about sex. "Women have the power to save the country from the scourge of HIV/Aids."
She also encouraged women to speak out against war wherever it occurred, particularly in the Middle East.
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