The Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration, Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, calls on Public Servants to join in the commemoration of Women’s Month in honor of the approximately 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to petition against the country’s pass laws.
The DG said on 30 July, the government officially launched the 2020 Women’s Month which will be commemorated under the theme, “Generation Equality: Realising women’s rights for an equal future.”
“The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030.
“This year’s commemoration comes at a time when the country is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the country has observed an increase in domestic violence and abuse, leaving women vulnerable and in danger. The impact of the pandemic on society has the potential to reverse the progress we have made on women empowerment and eradicating poverty.
“At the Department of Public Service and Administration, as the custodian of Public Service policy, we are proud of the achievements made in the attainment of equal rights for women in the Public Service. This is evident in the senior management positions held by women across the Public Service,” said Ms Makhasi.
She said as the country works towards overcoming the social and economic fallout of COVID-19, the government has put in place a comprehensive package of interventions to mitigate the expected impact of COVID-19. “It includes measures to support and protect women in society during these challenging times.
“It is in the same breath that we call upon men in the Public Service and in society to support the government’s Call to Action: ‘Be a part of the generation that ends gender inequality’.
“I wish all Women in the Public Service, a fruitful and progressive Women’s Month,” said the Director-General.
