As the focus is placed on issues affecting women, Thoko Mpumlwana, Deputy chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, says financial literacy is a must for young girls.
Speaking at the celebration of the national Women’s Day event in Sasolburg on Sunday, Mpulwana says education is key in bringing about the empowerment of women especially young girls.
She says women’s empowerment should move past small pockets, such as sewing groups, to significant projects that add to the country’s economy.
We need legislation to protect people from themselves
Government, she says, should assist in this, but there is what she calls a “disconnect” where official interventions are still aimed at small-scale projects.
Mpulwana says girls have to be taught to manage money and budget, even if it is just for running household budgets.
By not being financially literate, they fall into a debt trap and struggle event more, she says.
“We need legislation to protect people from themselves. The National Credit Act (NCA) is in my view the best thing government could have done.”
She says the NCA will enable a significant change in the financial sustainability of women and their business endeavours.
Women’s day started with a march of women from mostly the ANC Women’s League to the Harry Gwala sport multi-purpose centre.
#womensday2015 has started #sabcnews https://t.co/9MTQtFoMO9
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Women are singing 'We are living with Zuma #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/uZlZHrbO6e
— Neo Motloung (@MrNeoMotloung) August 9, 2015
Women’s month is being celebrated this year under the theme “Women, United in moving SOuth Africa forward. President Zuma is the key-note speaker at the main event, and will be releasing the Status of Women report, which investigates the financial emancipation of women across various section of society.
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