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Today the world commemorates International Women’s Day, a day that seeks to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Commemorated annually on 08 March, this year Brand South Africa and Owami Women call – a women empowerment stakeholder of Brand South Africa, call on South African businesses, government and civil society to increase women economic empowerment initiatives to ensure equitable access to opportunities.

Bridget Nkuna, Founder of Owami Women said: “The growth and development of a nation depends extensively on the empowerment of its women. Our quest as a nation for inclusive economic growth – including the empowerment of women, the youth, and other members of vulnerable groups should be designed to help us achieve the type of society where everyone has a better life.”

In South Africa, women constitute a large proportion of the economically challenged, particularly in rural areas, and the National Development Plan (NDP) acknowledges this by taking gender – along with race and geographic location - into account by proposing a range of measures to advance women’s equality.

Brand South Africa’s CEO, Dr Kingsley Makhubela said: “Through various women development and empowerment initiatives, South Africa has begun to undo the dire conditions that marginalised women under apartheid. Our pro women policies and established institutions dedicated to women have over the years facilitated their economic development.

“The political will and leadership demonstrated by the South African government through the NDP 2030 underscores precisely what is required to help us reach our women and to reinvigorate them to partake in the socio-economic development pursuit of our nation.”

This year - International Women's Day 2017 will be commemorated under the theme ‘Be Bold For Change’ – a call on all global citizens to help forge a more inclusive, gender equal world.

Issued by Brand South Africa