PRETORIA — Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, highlighted the importance of Women’s Month as an opportunity to honor the role of women in the struggle against discrimination, subordination, and exploitation, and to celebrate progress in gender equality and social mobility.
According to South African Government News Agency, during the media launch of the 2024 Women’s Month on Thursday, this time is for reflecting on past missteps and aiming to correct them. “The 30-Year Review Report shines the spotlight on commendable progress achieved in ensuring gender equality and social mobility,” Chikunga said. She noted that the representation of women in senior management positions in both the private and government workforce has increased from 20% in 2001 to 36% in 2021. Additionally, women have been in the majority at South African public universities since 2017, with female graduates making up about 61.5% compared to 38.5% for males.
The year 2024 marks 101 years since women were allowed to enter the legal profession in South Africa. “We have every reason to be proud of this transformative achievement,” Chikunga said, congratulating Chief Justice Designate Justice Mandisa Maya on her appointment. Chikunga also congratulated Tatjana Smith for winning South Africa’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chikunga paid tribute to the first cohort of Solar Mamas, young South African women who completed training in India. The Solar Mama Project aims to nurture emerging industrialists in renewable energy. “Through our Solar Mamas Initiative, we are expanding the nurturing of emerging industrialists in designing, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy components by ordinary young South African women,” she said.
The year 2024 is significant for marking several milestones in the struggle for women’s emancipation and pursuit of self-determination. It marks 70 years since the adoption of the Women’s Charter by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and 30 years since the adoption of the Women’s Charter for Effective Equality by the National Women’s Coalition Structures. This year’s Women’s Month campaign will take stock of progress in women’s socio-economic empowerment since the advent of democracy, under the theme: ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development.’