Celebrating women’s crucial role in Working on Fire
AS WOMEN’S Month concluded at the weekend, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ Working on Fire (WOF) programme hosted its first National Women’s Empowerment Forum dinner to honour the women who make up 30% of the firefighters in the programme.
Under the theme “A Celebration of Our Journey through Adversity and Success”, the celebratory dinner was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cape Town and attended by 21 women from various provinces.
Those present included members who have developed from firefighters into leadership positions, with some having over 13 years of WOF firefighting experience.
The dinner served as an empowerment forum, providing an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while also making a call to action for accelerating gender equity.
The women shared their stories of rising up the ranks, and recounted how the WOF spirit of family and teamwork helped them hold on when the going got tough.
Welcoming the guests, WOF managing director Trevor Abrahams said: “Today, we honour you and encourage you to continue to contribute towards the betterment of the programme.
“Some of you have been with the programme since the beginning in 2003 and have over the years developed up the ranks and now hold senior management positions in the programme.
“Today, you represent the 30% of participants who are women in the programme, and we want you to enjoy the day and know that we honour you.”
Special guest and former director-general of the Department of Small Business Development, Professor Edith Vries, shared some of the challenges she faced as a woman in the workplace and on the Cape Flats, where she grew up.
Vries said she was pleased to see women well represented in such a male-dominated industry.
“I encourage you to claim your voice in the workplace and rise above the challenges you face. Pursue other income streams and don’t stop empowering yourselves,” said Vries.
Former firefighter Martha Tepo, who is now employed as North West Fire Awareness training officer, said: “I feel very much honoured to be here tonight and I would like to thank WOF for honouring women such as us in the programme.”