Issues pertaining to gender equality and empowerment of women in local government are on top of the agenda for this coming Friday as SALGA Free State convenes a SALGA Women’s Commission Lekgotla in Bethlehem in the Eastern Free State.
According to SALGA Free State spokesperson, Thabang Sikisi, SALGA Women’s Commission (SWC) was established in 2010 to ensure that gender mainstreaming, and women’s issues in particular, receive adequate and effective attention at local government level in both policy and practice.
Sikisi said this Lekgotla is the first such gathering after the SWC Conference, which was held in Mangaung in May 2022, where new leadership was elected.
“The lekgotla will among others consider the following: Purpose, Objectives and Expected Outcomes of the SWC Lekgotla; constitutional matters and organisational reports; Advancing the 50/50 agenda to achieve women’s political representation and participation in local government; Building Women Leadership and Capacity; Challenges faced by Young Girls in Society; Establishment and Status of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in Municipalities,” he said.
Key Stakeholders expected to attend are several MECs, The Speaker of the Legislature; the Director General of the Free State Provincial Government, Provincial House of Traditional Leaders; LGSETA; Department of Women, Youth and People with Disability.
