Raise Voices at Dialogue, Women Urged

Now that the national convention of the National Dialogue is going ahead this Friday, despite divisions and the withdrawal of several legacy foundations, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Dialogue must be a place for "women to raise their voices".

- Faizel Patel

The first national convention will bring together 200 organisations from 33 sectors and kick-start the dialogue process. It will take the form of public dialogues in localities and within sectors across the country.

Writing in his weekly newsletter yesterday, Ramaphosa said given the history of women's struggles in South Africa, women should once again come to the fore and participate actively.

"Women make up more than half of our country's population. Women are affected by every political, social and economic issue in the country. Likewise, every crisis, whether it is unemployment, crime or climate change, affects women equally and, in some instances, more than men."