CDM Municipality
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WOMEN from across Capricorn district got a rare opportunity to voice out concerns on economic opportunities in order to break the morass of poverty and underdevelopment. This came out during the 6th district women’s parliament on Thursday.
Held at Moshate Ga-Mothapo south of Mankweng, the parliament gave them a platform to debate issues that affect their lives and strategise for CDM’s women empowerment programmes. The parliament featured women from varied backgrounds drawn from civil society, business and politics.
During debates, speaker after speaker decried the scant economic opportunities accorded to women and equally commended CDM for making significant strides to change socio-economic circumstances of women in the district. According to the Executive Mayor Cllr Gilbert Kganyago, CDM created 1 046 jobs for women in the last financial year. “The municipality also municipality also awarded bursaries to 30 needy female students to study civil engineering at FET colleges, who have shown potential and zeal to change economic circumstances of their families”, said Kganyago in giving progress report. Kganyago also assured the sitting of CDM’s commitment to the “transformation agenda of women, by women, for women”.
“We remain humbled by your resolve and your dedication to the cause of the emancipation of women, as well as the work you do radically to change the life circumstances of all our people. I have no doubt that your efforts will help accelerate our advance towards the achievement of the goal of a better life for all”, said Kganyago.
The parliament also debated topics on HIV/Aids, teen pregnancies and substance abuse. The parliament took place against the backdrop of women’s month and in the main, it was part of CDM’s social transformation programmes that aimed at working harder and smarter with women in order to support and champion gender equality and improve their lives.
Kgoshigadi Mothapo cautioned women to desist from ‘pull her down syndrome’ tendency as it ‘drives us backwards’. “We need to stand together and unite in order to defeat patriarchy and we can only do so if we support each other as women”, she said.
At the end of the sitting, they adopted resolutions on all motions for the municipality to implement. In outlining a wayforward, CDM chiefwhip Cllr Calvin Masoga said it was important for women to undergo regular and routine medical check-ups, follow a healthy diet and exercise in order to evade or manage chronic and lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. He said CDM has noted all the resolutions and will partner with other organs of state and other stakeholders to implement them.
