11 August 2014
The Department of Water and Sanitation has taken a significant move towards
mainstreaming women empowerment interventions through some of its flagship
programmes.
According to DWS’s Director for Gender and Disability Mainstreaming, Moshina
Phuti Setati, “the time for being semantic and symbolic about women issues is
over and done with”.
She says as a Department, DWS has “taken it upon ourselves that firm and
progressive thinking is required in order to realise tangible gender equality
and practices"
The strides achieved by this Department include the Adopt a River Programme,
which is aimed at promoting good river health. This programme affords women in
rural areas an opportunity to earn stipends as reward for their efforts to
conserve and clean their river in various communities. This is one clear poverty
alleviation intervention.
The Women in Water Awards (WWA) is a celebratory event that acknowledges and
recognizes the role women play in their communities with regard to conserving
and preserving water. Categories recognised through these awards are
adopt-a-river, education and awareness, as well as community development.
These awards also have financial benefits that help our women in improving their
projects.
Regarding the number of women senior managers’ positions, the Department has an
equal number of males and females at Deputy Director-Generals (DDGs) who form
part of Top Management. The DWS has achieved 45% on equity in this category. All
will be done to realise this intended target.
A breakdown of the ladies in the DDG positions are: DDG for the Infrastructure
Branch, Ms Zandile Mathe. DDG Communication is Ms Matlakala Motloung.
Ms Deborah Mochotlhi is the DDG for Information, whilst Ms Lindiwe Lusenga is DDG
for the International Water Cooperation (IWC).
DWS celebrates the women in management week as determined by Department of Public
Service and Administration (DPSA). Yet, as according to Setati, “we have to keep
on working hard until 50% equity is achieved at senior management level.”
In terms of the accelerated development programme, 25 women from the Department,
at Deputy Director and Assistant Director Levels have been taken for a year’s
training to enhance their top management skills. This training is facilitated by
the School of Governance at PALAMA, appointed to execute a programme that will
focus on enhancing a long term objective to empower women.
Women with disabilities have also had their numbers enhanced though various
accelerated development programmes. This will lead to the state being in a
position to challenge even the private sector in terms of realising equity in
the workplace for both women and the disabled.
Ike Motsapi
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