Esta fights for farm women

THIS year as we celebrate Women’s Month much more thought must be given to women who reside on farms.

Most women who reside or work on farms are living under inhumane and undesirable conditions. Their tenure is insecure. According to a report by Wikigender – an online platform that share information to advance gender equality – one of the most serious obstacles to increasing the agricultural productivity and income of rural women is their lack of security of tenure.

The report says that women farmers are responsible for 60% to 80% of the food production in developing countries. This shows that despite the obstacles women are more than capable of making the world a better place for all.

In recognising the plight of farm dwellers particularly women, the Tenure Implementation Systems unit within the Gauteng Provincial Shared Service Centre of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, embarked on an Extension of Security of Tenure Act (Esta) roadshow in Bronkhorstpruit in the Tshwane region.

Esta is an Act that provides for security of tenure by regulating conditions of stay and occupation on farms by occupiers and further regulates conditions under which an occupier may be evicted. The roadshow informed farm dwellers in the neighbouring farms of their rights when faced with evictions.

They were also given a toll-free number to call and they were told of the legal avenues that the department has made available for them if they are evicted.

I say big up to the Esta for arming the government with a weapon to fight for the poor.