​Qaqambile Mdledle
Investing in women's economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth.
This economic empowerment will fundamentally different economy that, among other things, substantially improves the material position of women.
MEC for Finance and e-Goverment, Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko, said the sixth administration took a clear decision to allocate 40% of Gauteng budget spend towards small and medium SMME's in townships with a special priority on women and young people.
"When we speak of women's economic empowerment, we refer to women's economic rights, including equal access to ownership of control over land, property, productive assets and resources," said the MEC.
She was delivering a keynote address to female business leaders in City Ekurhuleni on Friday,  which provided a platform for women entrepreneurs in infrastructure delivery and human settlements to establish a common framework that would assist in driving an economic transformation for the betterment of humanity.
Nkomo-Ralehoko appealed to more women in the province to seriously consider entering the agriculture and construction sector as there is a need for more women-owned companies in those.
"We're fully aware that many women face significant challenges when it comes to this male-dominated industry, and transformation in this regard is a priority. I'd like to further suggest to our women to engage the relevant bodies and entities in the sector about what is required, and the criteria should be met," the MEC said.
The economic empowerment of women is one of the pillars of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) to combat gender-based violence and femicide launched last year. It recognises that unless the economic drivers of gender-based violence are overcome, women and girls will remain vulnerable to abuse. END​