Douglas<\/p>\n
Northern Cape MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, led the Women\u2019s Month commemoration in Douglas with a special luncheon and pampering session dedicated to elderly women, reaffirming the government\u2019s commitment to their well-being and dignity.<\/p>\n
Addressing the gathering, MEC Makatong described elderly women as the cornerstone of South African society. She paid tribute to their role in the fight against apartheid, their participation in the historic 1956 women\u2019s march, and their contribution to building a democratic nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we honour you, our mothers and grandmothers, who embody resilience and strength. Your sacrifices paved the way for greater gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment. The fact that women now make up over 43 percent of our national parliament is a direct reflection of your legacy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Makatong emphasized the government\u2019s continued focus on\u00a0healthy aging and social support for elderly women<\/strong>, highlighting interventions such as improved access to healthcare, nutritional programs, social activities to combat isolation, and exercise initiatives designed for seniors.<\/p>\n She further stressed the importance of protecting elderly women from abuse and exploitation, citing the implementation of the\u00a0R21 billion National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)<\/strong>. \u201cGBVF affects women of all ages, including the elderly. We remain steadfast in ensuring their safety, economic security, and continued role in community life,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n The MEC also underscored the province\u2019s commitment to expanding intergenerational programs, skills transfer initiatives, and opportunities for elderly women to continue contributing to social and economic development.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we celebrate Women\u2019s Month under the theme\u00a0\u2018Building Resilient Economies for All\u2019<\/em>, our pledge is clear: to improve healthcare services, expand social support programs, and ensure the voices of elderly women are included in policymaking,\u201d Makatong declared.<\/p>\n The luncheon and pampering session in Douglas symbolized both recognition and gratitude to elderly women, whose wisdom and lived experiences remain a guiding force for future generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Douglas Northern Cape MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, led the Women\u2019s Month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t