WOMEN'S CONFERENCE KICKS-OFF IN LIMPOPO TOMORROW
By Edwin Tshivhidzo, Pretoria

August 25, 2003 – (BuaNews - Pretoria) A conference marking the culmination of activities planned for Women's Month this month to honour all women in the country, kicks-off in Warmbaths, Limpopo, tomorrow.

The two-day Izingxoxo ZamaKhosikazi (women talks) conference is aimed at giving women an opportunity to talk about their needs, aspirations and other challenges facing them, including dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Minister in the Office of the President Essop Pahad is expected to deliver the keynote address at the conference.

August has been set aside to celebrate the contribution of women to South Africa's liberation struggle, especially the protest by 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria against apartheid pass laws, on 9 August 1955.

August 9 has since been declared a national holiday called Women's Day.

This year's theme is 'Celebrating Women's Achievements and Rolling back the Frontiers of Poverty'.

Also to be discussed at tomorrow's conference would be issues relating to women's rights, poverty, gender-based violence, women in leadership and women in the running of the economy.

At the end of the conference, a report listing the needs of women in South Africa will be compiled and presented to government.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200308250618.html