This, as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is expected to engage the provincial government on some of the challenges plaguing women in various communities. 

The Council, led by Chairperson Sylvia Lucas, last month held the 1994 Women's Charter for Effective Equality review session in Lejweleputswa and Fezile Dabi Districts where women shed light on challenges they are still experiencing 26 years post-democracy. The sessions came weeks after the council also had engagements with women in the Mangaung Metro Municipality, as well as in the five districts of the Northern Cape, where similar issues regarding the lack of economic opportunities, high unemployment rates, crime, and a lack of basic services were sharply raised.

In an interview with OFM News, Lucas said parliament has taken note of the economic challenges and service delivery issues in the two provinces and would soon be engaging the respective provincial governments.

She said they will also be moving from province to province to enable women to make their voices heard and are aiming to interact with women from at least 40 districts across the country by the end of this month.

The review of the 1994 Women’s Charter is to enable women in different parts of the country to highlight challenges they still face 26 years post-democracy and to enable parliament to make amendments.

The feedback session set to be held with the Free State government this afternoon will take place at the same time the National Assembly (NA) will ask questions for oral reply to the Economic Cluster Ministers in Parliament.

OFM News