The Council, led by chairperson Sylvia Lucas - who is also the former Premier of the Northern Cape - is expected to shed light on challenges experienced by women in this province 26 years post-democracy. 

The sessions, set to get underway in North West this week, come weeks after the council also engaged with women in the Free State and areas of the Northern Cape. 

OFM News previously reported that issues regarding high unemployment rates, the lack of economic opportunities, crime, and the lack of basic services were sharply raised by the women in the two Central South African provinces.

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.

Following her visit to the Free State and the Northern Cape, Lucas told OFM News Parliament has taken note of the economic challenges and service delivery issues faced by women and communities in these provinces and would soon be engaging the respective provincial governments.

Issues pertaining to municipal services and how the lack thereof affects women and their families, is expected to be amongst their greatest focus in the North West following the NCOP's engagement with financially distressed municipalities last week.

OFM News