TZANEEN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says achieving gender equality for women is essential for their upliftment.
Ramaphosa delivered his National Women's Day address in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Saturday.
The country celebrated Women's Day, which is dedicated to the thousands of women who in 1956 marched to the Union Buildings in protest of the apartheid pass laws.
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"We want to empower all the women in South Africa, and as we empower them, we will embark on programmes and initiatives that will enable the women of South Africa to rise," he said.
Ramaphosa emphasised the need to accelerate the involvement and role of women in the country's economy.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says the fight for gender equality is far from over.
She has been speaking ahead of the national women's day event in Nkowankowa, Limpopo.
Chikunga says this year's theme focuses on creating a resilient inclusive economy that benefits women in all communities.