International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women worldwide. This year’s theme, “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,” is a reminder that advancing women’s empowerment and achieving gender equality is crucial for societal advancement and economic prosperity. Pam Tshwete, the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, is an advocate for women’s involvement in policies and regulations, empowerment programs, and establishing a Women in Human Settlements Task Team. Women in the human settlements delivery value chain plead for investment through a social compact to ensure the poor have access to adequate housing.
Advancing women’s empowerment and accelerating progress towards gender equality is crucial for societal advancement, economic prosperity, and political stability. The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Pam Tshwete, has overseen considerable progress for women in the sector through promoting their involvement in policies and regulations, initiating empowerment programs, and establishing a Women in Human Settlements Task Team. Women in the human settlements delivery value chain plea for investment through a social compact to ensure the poor have access to adequate housing. Let’s remember to “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” on International Women’s Day.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we take a moment to pay tribute to the remarkable social, economic, cultural, and political triumphs of women worldwide. This year’s theme, “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress”, holds profound significance in a time where shifting gender dynamics are crucial to societal advancement, economic prosperity, and political stability.
Advancing Women’s Empowerment: The Role of Pam Tshwete
The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Pam Tshwete, recognized the impact of this historic day by emphasizing the need for women’s empowerment and advocating for faster progress towards gender equality. Since taking office in 2019, she has overseen considerable progress for women in the Human Settlements sector, with the government and key stakeholders demonstrating unwavering dedication to instigating transformative change over the past five years.
Tshwete showcased the advancements made in the sector via a series of Round Tables that took place across eight provinces. These platforms provided a valuable opportunity for engaging with Women in Human Settlements, culminating in a successful Indaba in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province. Key topics such as procurement, payment procedures, and the hurdles typically encountered by women-led businesses were illuminated during these discussions.
Women in Construction: A Focus on Innovation and Resilience
The conversation about the vital inclusion of women in the construction industry was a prominent part of these dialogues. The discussions centered around the empowerment and support for up-and-coming women-led construction firms. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the South African Weather Services, and the Khoisan Community highlighted the innovative, resilient indigenous building methods women utilize in response to climate change and environmental disasters.
Furthermore, the unique struggles faced by female contractors operating in remote, expansive, and mountainous regions were brought to attention. The existing subsidy framework does not consider the distinct conditions in these areas, imposing an undue load on these women-led businesses.
Addressing Challenges: Promoting Women’s Engagement in Human Settlements
To tackle these issues, the Deputy Minister underscored the significance of promoting women’s involvement in the Human Settlements White Paper. This initiative is strategic for ensuring that women’s rights and concerns are incorporated into the sector’s policies and regulations. The Department of Human Settlements has initiated numerous empowerment programs, including the PPRA’s Principalization program, which aids women in transitioning from Property Practitioners to Principal Property Practitioners. Under the PPRA initiative, 37 principals have provided opportunities to 224 interns to date.
However, the path to gender equality is still a long one. The Deputy Minister voiced her apprehensions regarding the differing levels of dedication across provinces and metros. Although certain regions, like Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and North West, have made significant progress in promoting women’s inclusion, others are lagging in achieving the 40% set-aside target. This uneven progress highlights the necessity for uniformity and consistency across all provinces and metros.
The International Women’s Day of 2024 also witnessed the establishment of the Women in Human Settlements Task Team. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing women’s inclusion and empowerment in the sector. This task team has played a crucial role in consolidating Women in Indaba Resolutions and Report, crafting a roadmap to the International Women’s Day, and encouraging women’s interaction with the provinces, metros, and Department of Human Settlements entities.
Towards a Better Future: Women’s Plea for Investment
Women’s message is simple and clear: “Invest in us”. They are eager to form partnerships through a social compact and deliver results, fostering trust, interaction, and collaboration among women in the human settlements delivery value chain. Their collective aim is to ensure the poor have access to adequate housing.
This appeal from women is not a novelty but a reminder to adhere to procurement processes. The Grant Policy Framework, approved and included in the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), allows for the implementation of set-asides for women as directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Deputy Minister expressed her surprise at some provinces and metros still questioning the implementation of set-asides for women, seeing this as discrimination against women and a blatant disregard for the President’s directive.
Despite these hurdles, the Deputy Minister remains hopeful about the future. She has unwavering faith in women’s capability to instigate change. She extended her gratitude to Minister Kubayi for her guidance and support and to all officials who participated in these processes. The road to gender equality may be demanding and challenging, but as the Deputy Minister asserted, women are resilient, and their spirit remains strong.
As we mark International Women’s Day, let’s remember Pam Tshwete’s words: “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress”. Let’s strive to build a world where every woman gets the chance to prosper and contribute to the betterment of society. Happy International Women’s Day!
1. What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is a day set aside to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women worldwide.
2. What is this year’s theme for International Women’s Day?
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress”. The theme is a reminder that advancing women’s empowerment and achieving gender equality is crucial for societal advancement and economic prosperity.
3. Who is Pam Tshwete and what is her role in advancing women’s empowerment?
Pam Tshwete is the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements and is an advocate for women’s involvement in policies and regulations, empowerment programs, and establishing a Women in Human Settlements Task Team. She has overseen considerable progress for women in the Human Settlements sector since taking office in 2019.
4. What were the discussions surrounding women in construction during the dialogues?
The discussions surrounding women in construction centered around the empowerment and support for up-and-coming women-led construction firms. The innovative, resilient indigenous building methods women utilize in response to climate change and environmental disasters were highlighted.
5. What is the Women in Human Settlements Task Team and what is its purpose?
The Women in Human Settlements Task Team is a strategic move aimed at enhancing women’s inclusion and empowerment in the Human Settlements sector. The task team has played a crucial role in consolidating Women in Indaba Resolutions and Report, crafting a roadmap to the International Women’s Day, and encouraging women’s interaction with the provinces, metros, and Department of Human Settlements entities.
6. What is women’s plea for investment on this International Women’s Day?
Women’s plea for investment is to ensure the poor have access to adequate housing through partnerships formed through a social compact and delivering results, fostering trust, interaction, and collaboration among women in the human settlements delivery value chain.
