Question NW3469 to the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
17 October 2022 - NW3469
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
What (a) steps has her department taken to monitor that women are equipped and empowered in order for women entrepreneurs to gain access to relevant business networks and funding opportunities and (b) initiatives, besides awareness campaigns, has her department supported to practically equip women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills they need in the business environment?
Reply:
The DWYPD assesses the draft APPs of departments to ensure that the plans are responsive to the priorities of WYPD and annually monitors the government progress towards the economic empowerment and promotion of the rights of WYPD. The 2019-2022 report has the following findings among others:
- Women in Energy (WiE) Programme was developed to promote access to information and support women to participate in through workshops and business summit for Women Owned Entrepreneurs. The workshop was held with over 1000 women entrepreneurs from all nine provinces, as well as Women in Energy (WiE) Business Summit attended by over 2000 women.
- 1 497 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) were approved for funding under the SMME Debt Relief Fund, of these, 33% are women-owned and 21% owned by young people;
- The DSI reported that 110 innovator youth business start-ups were supported as part of the Grassroots Innovation Programme. Thirteen (13) businesses for youths have been established. About thirty-one (31) of the 110 (29%) are women innovators who have been supported through the programme.
- The Department of Tourism is implementing a three-year pilot project on Women in Tourism (WiT) in Limpopo Province. The Project is based in the following municipalities: Musina, Thulamela, Greater Giyani, Hoedspruit and Molemole;
- Furthermore, the Department of Tourism supported the Green Tourism Incentive Programme with a total of 45 grants and 25 awarded to women-owned businesses. Tourism Transformation Fund grants were approved for 17 businesses, of which 8 are women-owned. Of these, 5 are 100% women-owned, 1 is 70% women-owned, 1 is 60% women-owned and 1 is 50% women-owned.
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Approved by Minister
Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP
Date: