Head of Department (HOD) for Human Settlements, Kgomotso Mahlobo, has called on senior women managers within the department to remain committed, resilient, and diligent in their work.
Mahlobo made the call during a consultative meeting held recently in Mahikeng as part of the Public Service Women in Management Week. The session focused on the HOD’s Eight Principles of Action Plan for promoting women empowerment and gender equality in the workplace
She emphasized that the meeting created a vital platform for women in senior management positions to reflect on challenges facing them in the workplace and to develop practical solutions. “It is important to take advantage of such initiatives as we will be able to make the workplace a better place,” said Mahlobo.
The Eight Principles Action Plan includes transformation for non-sexism, establishing a policy environment, meeting equity targets, creating an enabling environment, gender mainstreaming, empowerment, adequate resourcing, accountability, and monitoring and evaluation. These align with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) framework aimed at empowering women and closing the gender gap.
Mahlobo further commended the department for maintaining 50% female representation in senior management. She announced that an employment equity committee would be established and convene quarterly meetings. Additional resolutions include continuing gender and disability legislation workshops, transferring Gender Mainstreaming workshops to the HRD sub-directorate, and encouraging women to participate in female infertility health screenings.
“This session forms an integral part in the emancipation of women. It is important for women in management to prioritize it and make valuable contributions that will positively impact empowerment,” she added.
In closing, Mahlobo encouraged solidarity among women. “Fix each other’s crowns. Women’s mistakes are often magnified simply because they are women, yet we prevail. I commit to continuously working with women in the department who are champions of these principles to ensure that we achieve them at all levels,” she concluded.