SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH THROUGH EMPOWERMENT

By Lorato Modisenyane

• The Department of Social Development hosted a Women’s Month celebration at the Birchwood Hotel, bringing together over 400 women from various corridors and institutions to honour their contributions.
• Under the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” the event aimed to inspire, motivate, and empower women while addressing the ongoing challenges they face, such as gender-based violence, inequality, and societal pressures.
• Speakers, including department leaders and motivational figures, urged women to support each other, understand their rights, and continue striving for progress in their roles and communities.

The Department of Social Development marked Women’s Month with a celebration at the Birchwood Hotel in the Eastern Corridor. The engagement brought together over 400 women from various corridors, institutions, and the youth service delivery brigades. It aimed to honour the women within the department, recognising their contributions and encouraging them to continue their excellent work, both in the workplace and in their communities.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” set the tone for a day filled with reflection, motivation, and empowerment. Pearl Moabelo, Director of Social Crime Prevention and Victim Empowerment Programmes, led the day with words of encouragement. She reminded her colleagues that while the struggles of women in 2024 differ from those in 1956, significant challenges remain. “Women are now faced with gender-based violence, inequality, debts, single parenting, being bullied by family, and abuse from those supposed to protect them,” Moabelo highlighted.

The audience was captivated by various speakers, poets, and motivational figures who shared their personal journeys. Among them was Onthatile Ntsoko, a Social Worker in foster care, who proudly shared the success story of Bradley Nkoana, a foster child from Mabopane who won a silver medal in the 100 metres relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of Team South Africa. “I share this testimony to encourage my fellow colleagues to keep up the good work they are doing. We are indeed changing lives. I know it’s not easy, but please keep on keeping on,” Ntsoko urged.

Leonie Van der Merwe, Director of Gender, Youth, and Disability Mainstreaming, cautioned women against succumbing to societal pressures and the latest trends. She also warned against falling victim to scams in the name of love and encouraged women to join the Departmental Women’s Forum to strengthen initiatives focused on women.

Dikeledi Ntlatseng, Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, emphasised the importance of women supporting one another. “It’s okay not to be okay. Please take care of yourselves and stop pouring from empty cups,” she advised. Ntlatseng also urged women to stop harbouring criminals and withdrawing cases of gender-based violence against their spouses. She called on women to stop bullying each other in the workplace and to use the Departmental Women’s Forum to strengthen women-focused projects.

Acting Head of Department, Bongani Ngomane, praised the ongoing efforts of women in the Department, emphasising that women’s issues are human rights issues. “As women, you have the right to live, to be protected, and to protect your space. No one, whether a man or a system, should bully you,” Ngomane asserted.

Ngomane encouraged women to read the Women’s Charter to understand their rights and the responsibilities that come with them. He also stressed the importance of not leaving the girl child behind, announcing that young girls would be part of the Masupatsela of Gauteng programme, where they will receive training and mentorship.