Advancing Women in Construction
The SAWIC is the voice for and driver behind women initiatives in the built environment
Vision
To be an association of excellence with global networks enhancing the role of women in the construction industry through members running profitable and sustainable business enterprises.
Mission
To promote, advocate and support the advancement of women in the construction industry.
The South African Women in Construction (SAWIC) initiative was founded to empower women to gain access to contracts, training, finance and networks in the construction industry. SAWIC is a Section 21 Company, and was incorporated in 1999. As such, SAWIC is owned by its members.
In a recent address Deputy Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga emphasised that women must play a more important role in the economy of the country.
"Traditionally, women and engineering were not two words that went together. But that older world ethos has changed. From a base of 20 or so a decade ago, there are about 1000 women engineering undergraduates currently studying at South African universities and technikons. However, despite the progress made in closing the gender gap and making more opportunities available for women in business, South Africa's construction industry is one place where being a woman is still a major challenge," said Chikunga.
Nompumelelo Pakade, SAWIC (South African Women in Construction) National President said: "It is imperative that contractor development programmes (CDP) are cemented to promote skills development. For women empowerment to be sustainable, training needs to be followed by work opportunities. CDPs create an enabling environment for contractor development, allowing for targets to be set, the growth process to be monitored and evaluation to be conducted at the end of a particular period."
SAWIC has experienced continuous growth over the years, has an approved (by its members) constitution, which is regularly reviewed by its executive to ensure currency and appropriateness. SAWIC is run by a National Board, headed by a duly elected National President with all nine elected Provincial Chairpersons, and supported by an Executive Committee with special expertise in critical areas like, Membership Development, Operations and Finance, Research and Development and Stakeholder Liaison.
SAWIC administers, intervenes, facilitates and negotiates to empower its members to gain access to opportunities, contracts and related legal aspects, training, finance, business networks, and marketing.
Objectives
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Promote and support the advancement of women in the construction industry
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Enhance the entrepreneurial development of women-owned enterprises in construction;
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Promote co-operation, fellowship and a better understanding amongst members of SAWIC;
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Promote education and contribute to the improvement of the construction industry;
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Encourage women to pursue and establish their careers in the construction industry;
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Increase members' awareness of the legislative process and legislation as it relates to the construction industry;
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To assist in creating business opportunities for members as well as investment opportunities for sustaining the organisation.
For more information visit
www.sawic.co.za