GOOD statement by Shaun August
GOOD: National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
12 August 2022
Note: This statement was delivered by GOOD’s National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Shaun August, to raise awareness around the issue of economic empowerment of women during this women’s month.
Honourable Speaker
August is nationally regarded as the month of women. We find ourselves looking at the advancement of women rights, consider the progress made in ensuring the safety and security of women and the girl child, and condemning the slow uptake of legislation that can greatly expedite the security of our mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and of all females in society.
Gender-based violence and femicide, domestic violence and abuse are of course some of our greatest considerations for this month and I stress the fact that we still must go a great deal further for woman to attain and adopt all the rights as enshrined in national and provincial legislation.
Speaker
Women remain left out in all sectors of society. Not enough women occupy boardrooms. Women are not able to start small businesses. The kitchen is still regarded as the only place for a female and that women must stand in service of men.
Can women not own construction companies, logistic operations, provide solutions to micro- and macro-mobility? Are women not to be at the helm of corporations, occupy seats of power and frequent corridors of decision-making?
We, as South Africa and the Western Cape, need to review our understanding of the role of females in society.
Women must lead the economic, social and fiscal change needed to reposition South Africa in the global world of nations.
GOOD has always been a movement of powerful women. We are led by one. We need South Africa and the patriarchy to adopt our model of placing powerful women at the front.
Women month gives us the opportunity to reset our narrow view that women must always follow. I challenge all institutions of power, public and private, to give rise to the matriarchy and to reimagine South Africa under the leadership of women.
Media Enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD: National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za