5 August 2004 Press Release GOVERNMENT'S CRITICAL ROLE IN EMPOWERING WOMEN The Gauteng Provincial Government and the City of Johannesburg will jointly host the Women Empowerment Conference in Midrand from Friday, 6th August to Sunday, 8th August 2004. South Africa and the rest of the world are facing a critical challenge to empower women and contribute to gender equality. This need has become even greater as various group converge to pledge solidarity with women and children. In South Africa, all spheres of government are increasing the pace in the fight against wars, poverty and inequality by promoting peace and stability and gender equality. In a recent address at the Burundi Women's Initiative workshop in Pretoria, Deputy President Jacob Zuma noted: "To achieve the objectives of an Africa free from conflict, wars and famine, requires the participation of both men and women…and so far, the involvement of women has been somewhat minimal". The Gauteng; Joburg Women's Conference will, among other things: Report back on the recent South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) Conference organized by the Presidential Spousal Office Strategise on promoting the role of women in local government elections Develop a programme of action at local community level for women. In South Africa the empowerment of women by government is gaining momentum. The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Councilor Amos Masondo remains committed to issues of women empowerment. "Johannesburg has made strides in this regard. From the City's 217 Councilors, about 33% are women councilors, 4 out of the 10 Mayoral Committee Members are women and four of the senior executive managers are women. In terms of service delivery, there is a need to ensure that men and women benefit equitably." said Councilor Nandi Mayathula-Khoza who is a Women Speaker of Council and the Chairperson of the City's Women Caucus. In Parliament, 153 out of 454 MPs - about 34% are women. Out of 48 ministers and deputy ministers, 43% percent are women. As part of capacity building through commissions, the Conference will also focus on issues like: Women and Health; Women and Housing; Women and Moral Regeneration; Young Women and challenges as well as Women and Safety, among others. ENDS Aletta Suping City of Johannesburg Communications Department Telephone: 407 7271 Facsimile: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9229 Email: alettas@joburg.org.za