The eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit will tomorrow (13-08-2013) host an one day Women Empowerment Conference to coincide with women’s month, at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).

Themed “A Centenary of Working Together towards Sustainable Women Empowerment and Gender Equality”, the conference aims to deal with a number of issues including how to open up opportunities for women, issues of business support, access to finance and broadly how to ensure that women are brought onto the mainstream of the economy. The conference is expected to come up with tangible resolutions on how to speed up women economic empowerment in the province”

Nomvuzo Shabalala, who is the Deputy Mayor of eThekwini who also chairs the Economic Development Committee said, the government is committed to ensure substantial support for women to actively engage in economic activity is provided, and has opened up extensive business opportunities for women to participate and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy.

Later on the day the Unit will host a “Women in Business Awards Ceremony” to highlight women owned and successful businesses.

“The awards ceremony is the affirmation of women equal opportunities as their male counterparts through the government support. It is specifically focused on bridging the gap and sharing information by the key business sectors and women in business, to assist them to position themselves for opportunities in building the SA economy and to play a huge role in contributing in the creation of jobs,” added Shabalala.

Members of the media are invited.

The conference is scheduled as follows:

Date : 14 August 2013

Time : 08h00- 18:00

Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC)

The Women in Business Awards is scheduled as follows:

Date: 14 August 2013-08-13

Time: 18:30-22:00

Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC)

For more information contact, Khosi Sithole Programme Manager within Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit on 031 311 4575 or 0783245497.

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality's Communications Unit. Contact Thabo Mofokeng on 031 311 4820/ 0827317456 or email:thabo1.mofokeng@durban.gov.za or Sane Shandu on 031 311 4806/072 572 8658 or email: shandusanelisiwe@durban.gov.za