Empowerment of women is crucial
AS Women’s Month draws to a close, the Businesswomen's Association (BWA) Zululand branch has urged women to intensify the fight for economic equality.
BWA Zululand chairperson Jabu Dlamini said August is not only a celebration of the women who marched for equal rights in 1956, but a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure the full participation of women in the country's economy.
‘Women make up 51% of the population in South Africa, and we need to see their emancipation from economic and business restrictions,’ said Dlamini.
She said part of the BWA's focus since its inception has been to provide support to women as they navigate through various industries.
‘BWA creates a platform for the inspiration and empowerment of women in business, as well as economic upliftment locally and beyond the borders.
'This is achieved through lobbying, mentoring, networking, forming strategic alliances, and developing and recognising excellence in women,’ she said.
Dlamini said key to helping women achieve their growth potential is encouraging them to broaden their horizons and step out
of their comfort zones.
‘We motivate women not to limit their growth to already congested businesses, but to spread their wings and reach other opportunities such as manufacturing, commercial farming, the textile industry, and commercial poultry.
‘BWA also focuses on lobbying and mentoring young women to participate in business. The young generation must become employers and create job opportunities.'
She said shifting the mindset of young women to explore entrepreneurship will, however, require a transformed education system.
‘Our country relies much on foreign investors for economic upliftment, and pays less attention to promoting and supporting its own potential entrepreneurs,’ she said.
For more information on BWA Zululand, email: zululand@bwasa. co.za