Call to appoint more women to top jobs
NEWLY appointed ANC Women’s League Eastern Cape chairwoman Bukiwe Fanta says to overcome a patriarchal society, the party must populate key, influential leadership positions in the state with women.
Fanta said appointing women in leadership was not to do them any favours, but to strengthen equality and the economy of the region.
Fanta was elected provincial chairwoman of the league on Sunday during a conference held in East London.
“This 50/50 must now be implemented in our organisation,” she said. “Often in the [leadership] lists of the organisation you always see men dominating and only a few women appear in those lists.
“We want a Zebra approach, it must be a man and a woman, and it must not be done like a favour but because we as women are capable,” Fanta, from King William’s Town, said.
“We also want our legislature when they do their oversight role to monitor the inclusion of women in leadership positions. You cannot have a government department that is led by men and only two females are there.
“Women must also be deputy director-generals, chief directors and chief financial officers because they are there and they qualify,” Fanta said.
A self-proclaimed gender activist, Fanta said they wanted all women from different areas of the province to be empowered with skills, knowledge and to able to contribute in the country’s economy.
“There needs to be a radical shift in the economy that will not only benefit men but also women, that is what the women’s league is about – to make sure that women are developed to hold leadership positions in government and in the business sector as well,” Fanta said .
“The ANC is the leader of the society. Women are there but they are not seen in leadership positions.
“We plan to partner with women from different spheres, rural areas, townships and also those who are already in businesses so that we can work together and empower each other with skills,” she said.
Fanta said the new leadership would meet and discuss how they could assist women in the province and also be visible in all the areas.
“One of our concerns is that we are not visible enough, but now that we have dealt with all the challenges of not having a structure that exists for women, we will be able to go to our regions and listen to what women need from the organisation.”