NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                    24 July 2001 

WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (OSW) LOOKING FOR “WINNING WOMEN”                                                                                          

Women or young women who have made a huge difference in uplifting their communities are in line for a special ”Winning Women Award” to coincide with National Women’s Day on 9 August. 

The award is presented by the Provincial Administration’s Chief Directorate: Human Rights Programmes and Poverty Relief as a tribute to the contribution women have made in striving for a society free of discrimination against them. 

National Women’s Day celebrates and recognises the role that women have played in the country’s history as campaigners for human rights. 

The “Winning Women Award” honours women who have made substantial contributions to their communities in the areas of housing, economic empowerment, rural development, tourism, cultural promotion, community safety (in respect of violence against women), health, social services, the environment, education, training and sport. 

All women and young women from across the Province are eligible for the prestigious Award. Nominations must be accompanied by comprehensive details of the projects or achievements together with a detailed motivation for the nomination. 

Rules for the Award are that nominees must live in the Western Cape and that the decision of the judges is accepted as final. The closing date for nominations is 3 August, and winners will be announced on 9 August, National Women’s Day. 

Dr Audrey van Zyl, Minister for Constitutional Arrairs and Information Technology, and responsible for gender affairs in the Province , said the intention was to make the Winning Women Award an annual event. “There are hundreds of women out there who, by their commitment and determination to succeed, have made a big difference to their communities,” she said. 

“We want to honour these exceptional women – and we are looking for some strong nominations from especially the rural areas,” said Dr van Zyl.    

Nominations should be posted to P O Box 12521 Mill Street, 8010 or delivered to 7 Glynnville Terrace, Gardens 8001.   

The Cape WOW Festival, an initiative of the Cape Town’s Women’s Festival Trust, has the theme this year of ‘Honouring the Spirit of Women’. An emphasis will be placed on the role women play in healing the Cape skillfully to embrace tourism. The festival will focus on how women’s energies can be positively used to make a difference in the health and well being of all Capetonians.