Xingwana: Women have it better now

2012-08-06 16:31

Women, Children and People with Disability Minister Lulu Xingwana (GCIS)

Pretoria - The government has made significant strides in improving the lives of women since 1994, Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana said on Monday.

Women now had rights and services "that were a dream 20 years ago", she told reporters in Pretoria.

"Our policies and programmes that we introduced in 1994 have assisted to improve the living conditions of women. They now have access to opportunities, rights and services that were a dream 20 years ago."

Despite notable developments, women remain hindered by problems related to poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

She said the government was concerned over the exclusion and under-representation of women at executive levels of many companies.

August marks Women's Month in South Africa. The nation commemorates National Women’s Day on Thursday.

- SAPA