 |
| Welcome to BuaNews, the gateway to quick and fresh government news and information |
| Home | Today's stories | This week's stories | Last week's stories | Other Features | International News | User policy |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 18 Aug 2008 Title: Women make up over half of public service -------------------- By Michael Appel; tel: (012) 314-2419 Johannesburg - Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has applauded the strides made in empowering women in the public service. A little over half of the people working in government are women, which is evidence of government's efforts to create gender equality. "I am heartened by the presence of so many women senior managers in the public service who represent a clear testimony that South Africa is taking the right direction to recognise women for their abilities, expertise and talents. "To date, the number of women in government across all salary levels totals more than 600 000, compared to men at more than 500 000," said the Deputy President, speaking at the launch of a two-day Public Service Gender Indaba on Monday. She said the future of women in the country looked bright due the stance government took to ensure equal participation in all important processes of the country. "As women, we must take pride in the fact that empowerment in South Africa is seen as translating to active participation and that the pursuit for transformation has presented remarkable opportunities for us. "Government takes pride in leading by example in the process of transformation and gender equality compared to other sectors in our country. "I would like to thank former President Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki for the confidence they bestowed in the women of our country," said the deputy president. Women ministers in Cabinet currently comprise 42.8 percent, and four of South Africa's nine provinces are headed by women premiers. About 40 percent of deputy ministers in government are also women. However, these figures are still behind government's target of 50 percent and the Department of Public Service and Administration is consulting other departments to determine the challenges experienced. DPSA Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi told delegates that August was an important month, not only because it is Women's Month, but because it wass the month in which government embraced the principles for which the women of 1956 marched. "We need to eradicate all patriarchal impediments in the public service which include discrimination against pregnancy, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and age. "We need to ensure that there is not a single area that women are not involved in this country," said Ms Fraser-Moleketi. All delegates at the Indaba were given a whistle and on the minister's queue were asked to blow the whistle on gender discrimination, violence against women and children, and for the empowerment of women. - BuaNews |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
