The National Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities convened a workshop with female entrepreneurs of the Province at HorseShoe Motel in Kimberley on 12th June 2019. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Social Development , Gauteng as well as the Northern Cape Office of the Premier.

The Programme Director, Mr Sipiwo Matshoba was pleased by the reception of the event by women in the province and explained that it would be the place where they will be empowered to gain information to access the market of sanitary dignity pack manufacturing and distribution as well as make invaluable connections that could see their businesses thrive. He believes that since women are the ones who involuntarily have to go through a menstrual period monthly, they should also be the ones to benefit economically from the sale and production of disposable sanitary pads, tampons, re-usable pads and menstrual cups; since they understand the needs of women better than any man could.

Deputy Director-General Ms Gugulethu Matlaopane, stated in her closing remarks that there was a wealth of information shared and that the government would work with female entrepreneurs to utilise the budget allocated to the province adequately to ensure that the most vulnerable and intended citizens are the ones who reap the benefits of the sanitary dignity distribution programme. “One thing that makes me proud of the women of the Northern Cape is that once you give them access and resources, they take the baton and run with it!’ she remarked.