Department of Social Development to change lives of PE women

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Eastern Cape Soical Development MEC, Nancy Sihlwayi, are in Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday to attend an exhibition of women funded projects.

The women received funding and assistance from the Department of Social Development in developing entrepreneurial and project management skills

This forms part of the Department's goal of empowering women in leadership and business skills through public private partnerships.

The exhibition at the Feather Market Centre, also marked the end of Womens Month and the celebration of Heritage Month in September.

Speaking to the media at the exhibition, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu, said her department is trying to deal with a number of social challenges occuring in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

She said her Department remains committed to the continued support of the programmes to empower women as developing "cooperatives" remained a priority at national level.

"We will be focusing on growing women cooperatives because we believe that when we empower women we begin to strengthen families," the Deputy Minister said.

The Eastern Cape MEC of Social Development Nancy Sihlwayi, said that it was important to note the contributions made by young women with disabilities.

During a dialogue session young women with disabilities shared the challenges that they face and explained where the department needed to assist.

Sihlwayi says the Department of Social Development needed to understand the progress made with young women with disabilities.