Hon Chairperson, the Minister listed a number of challenges that confront rural women in their efforts to improve their lot. Amongst these she identified the lack of access to funding and the lack of markets. What we would like to know is how the Minister helped in those instances. Thank you.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, we had a National Women's Conference from 1 to 3 August, and we invited most of the Ministers to come and share with the women the opportunities that are available and the programmes in their departments.
I think over 15 Ministers came to the conference. One of them was the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform. He assured women that access to land would be a priority, and that the recapitalisation fund and Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp, and other funding in the agricultural sector would target rural women. We also had Minister Patel, who came to the conference. He assured us, as I said, that over 50% of the jobs would go to women, and over 50% of funding from Khula would go to women.
Ours, therefore, hon member, will be to monitor and ensure that what the Ministers have pledged and committed to is actually done. We had the Ministers of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry - so many of them were there. All we are going to do is to follow up and ensure that they keep to their pledges and they actually deliver to the rural women in our country. Thank you.
Government strategy to avert involvement of essential services workers in future strikes 84. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) asked the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:
Whether the Government, as an employer, has any strategy in place to avert the involvement of essential services workers in future strikes; if not, why not; if so, what strategy? NO2323E