WESTERN CAPE NEWS - Today, I joined the Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, and religious leaders, all of whom were women, to celebrate International Women’s Day as well as to honour and remember those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 over the last year.
It was also an opportunity to reflect on the hope that vaccines now bring in the year ahead, especially as we continue to do whatever we can to save lives and livelihoods in our province.
Women across the Western Cape have done so much during the last year, despite experiencing some of the most difficult circumstances. From healthcare workers, to volunteers at soup kitchens; from police officers and teachers to social workers; women across the Western Cape have stepped up during the past year to fight this pandemic.
Sadly, we must also acknowledge that for many women in our province this was done in face of continued violence and discrimination.
That is why today our Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, visited a number of Western Cape Government-funded safe houses for women to provide oversight over the services we offer those in need of help. I join Minister Fernandez today in calling for an end to Gender Based Violence in the Western Cape and for every man to take active responsibility in ensuring that the women of our province do not have to live in fear. Read Minister Fernandez’s statement.
It is also why the Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, shared a report on a number of police inefficiencies with the Acting Provincial Police Commissioner following an investigation by the Western Cape’s Court Watching Brief Unit.
The report was submitted for comments from the Provincial Commissioner, which is to be provided to the provincial standing committee on community safety by no later than 30 April 2021. Read Minister Fritz’s statement here.
During the period under review, this Unit found that 50 of the 139 cases struck off the court roll or withdrawn due to police inefficiencies relates to Gender Based Violence. This is completely unacceptable.
Those who commit these acts of violence must find themselves behind bars if we are to create a safer and more prosperous province. As part of our Safety Plan, we will continue to treat the fight against GBV as a key priority.
Finally, we must also acknowledge that the last year has seen many women lose their jobs, encountering a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. And so, this International Women’s Day the Western Cape Government also commits to ensuring an economic recovery that enables more women to access economic opportunities, and the dignity that this brings.
I again want to reiterate my heartfelt appreciation to every woman in our province for what they have done, and what they continue to do, to keep our province moving forward. We honour you today.
For more visual content from today’s event click here.
Update on the coronavirus and vaccine rollout by Premier Alan Winde
As of 13:00 on Monday 8 March, the Western Cape has 3 172 active Covid-19 infections with a total of 276 528 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 262 106 recoveries. A total of 17 568 vaccines had been administered by 17:00 on 5 March.
The Western Cape has recorded 6 additional deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 11 289. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.
Additional data is available on the Western Cape Covid-19 data dashboard which also features active cases per sub-district, active cases per 100 000 and 7-day moving averages. Access the data dashboard here.
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