MEC Abraham Vosloo. File picture
AS THE Province prepares to celebrate Women’s Day, the Northern Cape MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, said that the focus of Women’s Month should be the acceleration of socio-economic opportunities for the empowerment of women.
Vosloo said women should be afforded the platform to participate in the mainstream economy against their male counterparts.
“The focus of this month is to create opportunities for women in the various tourism sectors of the Northern Cape economy. The specific emphasis is on promoting women's representation in leadership and management roles, increasing their participation, fostering job creation, and supporting entrepreneurship development within the tourism industry. This includes sectors such as transport, biodiversity, tourism, entertainment, and leisure-related activities, among others,” said Vosloo.
“The socio-economic empowerment of women in the Province is a crucial step towards redressing the legacy of apartheid and transforming our society. It involves redefining power relations between women, men, institutions, and laws.”
Vosloo said that although some progress has been made to uplift women in different sectors, much work is still required to level the economic playing field.
“While significant progress has been made in advancing women's rights in our Province and the country, there is still much work to be done to fully realise women’s potential in our society. Women's Month provides an opportunity to assess the progress made in transforming society and addressing the unequal power dynamics between women and men.
“It also aims to combat gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism, ageism, and structural oppression.
“The ultimate goal is to create an enabling environment that allows women to participate equally in the mainstream economy and take control of their lives.”
Vosloo added that the provincial Women’s Day celebrations will be used to showcase the skills of women in the Province.
“Another key focus during this month is the exploration of opportunities for women in the Northern Cape's thriving tourism sector. As part of the national Women's Month celebrations, a provincial Women’s Day Services Fair will be held on August 9 in Port Nolloth, showcasing the diverse roles and contributions of women in tourism.
“The Northern Cape Tourism Authority encourages all stakeholders, both within the tourism industry and beyond, to actively support and promote the empowerment of women. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society that harnesses the full potential of all its members,” Vosloo said.