As the country celebrates Women’s Month, founder of the Institute of Afrikology Resource Centre and Chairperson of Women in Responsibility, Dr Ashantewaa Ngidi said there is still a long way to go in terms of getting women in more leadership roles in the job sector.
Dr Ngidi said the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and rape are some of the critical issues that need to be addressed because they contribute to the suppression of women in the country.
South Africans commemorate Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. National Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 9 August.
Dr Ngidi, an Umkomaas resident said: “Women’s Day should be celebrated everyday because of the significant roles women play in the society. My message for Women’s Month is that women must understand the importance of resilience, balance and that we are the custodian of spirituality and dignity. I believe no nation can rise higher than its women.”
The Pan African Women’s Association representative, social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and philanthropist is continuing to inspire women in the South Coast community with her fearless ability to lead by example in alleviating gender and financial inequalities.
“I believe that until everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in addressing the issues of poverty and commit to alleviating some, we will always have to answer to the desperation of the poor. I hope that through active involvement in business, new innovative activities and development programmes that are currently in place, I will be able to make a difference in empowering women and the underprivileged with employment opportunities,” said Dr Ngidi.
She is a former University of the West Indies and University of Liverpool graduate. Dr Ngidi is a proud IsiZulu wife, fluent in languages which include English,French,Danish, Japanese and Swahili.
She said she believes that being a woman means strength, showing empathy and not being scared to have a voice and to stand up for the truth.
“During this Women’s Month, I will be facilitating a Trauma and Mental Health Awareness Dialogue for women which addresses a number of critical aspects women go through such as depression,” she said.
