Many women from the country attended the women-themed event organized by Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Turkey's Ambassador to Pretoria Ayşegül Kandaş, Gauteng State Education Department Chief Educational Psychology Specialist Dr. Nausheen Ameen, Co-Chair of the Caring Women's Forum (CWF) Akila Dada Mayet, South African women's rights advocate and businesswoman Dr. Shenaz Ghood, South African talent, and organization development expert Lebogang Chaka and South African women entrepreneur Keke Moeca attended the event titled "Women as Role Models" held at Johannesburg Yunus Emre Institute and Turkish Cultural Center on August 27, 2022, as speakers.

At the event, which was widely attended by South African women, speakers shared their stories of entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by women in the business world.

In his speech here, Ambassador Kandaş stated that each South African woman is a role model for him and explained the projects Turkey has recently realized to empower South African women entrepreneurs.

Noting that nearly 100 women in the country have received entrepreneurship and business development training within the scope of these projects, Kandaş said, "Women are already strong. We will grow stronger with solidarity."

After the event, flowers were distributed to the participants, and Turkish and South African cuisine was served.

"WOMEN NEED TO GAIN FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE"

Dr. Ameen stated that women in South Africa are empowering themselves by developing skills to cope with the challenges they face every day.

Ameen said, "We have not been trained for this for years. Our work is hard. Women need to gain financial independence."

Pointing out that although South Africa has a male-dominated social structure, women are increasing their influence in social life and the business world day by day, Ameen said, "I think times are changing. We are now empowering our young women and girls to think differently. This has nothing to do with feminism. It is all a matter of being human."

"UNFORTUNATELY, AFRICAN WOMEN HAVE LOST THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE DUE TO COLONIAL PAST"

Abdülaziz Yiğit, Johannesburg Yunus Emre Institute, and Turkish Cultural Center Coordinator, expressed their pleasure to show solidarity with South African women in this event organized on the occasion of "Women's Month", which is celebrated throughout August in the country.

Stating that women in South Africa have a dominant role in society, Yiğit said, "Unfortunately, African women have lost their self-confidence due to the colonial past. Therefore, they were raised with the image of a woman who feels under constant pressure and acts according to someone's discourse."

Yiğit stated that they will continue to support South African women with such programs in the future.