NORTH West provincial legislature held a sitting on Tuesday to debate women month. Members of all political parties in the legislature were given a platform to participate.

Provincial chairperson of local government portfolio committee, Motlalepula Rosho said women played a pivotal role in shaping the country.

She said the role of women in society has been greatly overseen in the last few decades and are coming to a more perspective to people.

“In the early days women were seen as wives who were intended to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. They were not allowed to vote while men took care of having jobs and paying any bills that had to be paid. The journey travelled was made possible by ANC-led government.

“The ruling party shook the struggle against apartheid government. It is befitting to pay tribute to the struggle icons like Mama Ruta Segomotsi Mompati, Charlotte Maxeke, Rahima Moosa and others,” Rosho said.

She added that struggle stalwarts made it possible for them to continue where they left off.

“We need to follow on their footprints and remain united. They were selflessly dedicated and believed in women empowerment.

“History has imposed responsibilities to women of today to continue the struggle. However, ANC-led government has put many projects to empower women. We are making stride in empowering women. South Africa is amongst countries globally in fighting patriarchal tendencies,” she said.

Rosho further said more women were employed in universal gender equality. She added that girl children were also empowered at schools and their dignity restored.

“The constitution made it possible for women to climb corporate ladder. Women rights remain human rights. Regardless of race, colour and sex, we need to lay the process in changing the landscape of women empowerment.

“We also acknowledge that a lot still has to be done. Women emancipation needs to be dealt with. We need to accelerate gender equality and create more job opportunities to eliminate poverty, inequality and unemployment,” she said.

North West MEC of finance, economy and enterprise development department (FEED), Wendy Nelson shared the same sentiments.

Nelson said: “The attitude towards women has dramatically changed. More than 20 000 women embarked on a fight against the laws that dehumanised women. Women from all races were not allowed to play part in democracy during apartheid regime.

“However, 1956 women march remains edible in the minds of all South Africans. The aim of the march was to resist the law of permit to be renewed every month. Women proved that they can take the matter into their own hands.”

She further said women fought for dignity. Nelson added that women stalwarts needed to be the identity in struggle for economic emancipation.

“Women are leading many chieftaincies under the leadership of ANC. We celebrate the nourishment and support of women empower. Many women are now engaged in construction, farming and energy industries.

“This resonate the power of women. We are aware that there is a long way to go, but we will make sure we work hard and uphold the mission of our stalwarts,” she said.

Economic Freedom Fighters provincial chairperson, Betty Diale: “Struggle for women need to be given a necessary attention. She said women emancipation can be achieved through EFF’s seven cardinal points. Women are deprived off their rights because of the laws. They continued to be sidelined in participation on decision-making processes.”

DA provincial chief whip, Jacqueline Theology also shared the same sentiments.

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