Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Cllr Mally Mokoena gave hope to hundreds of Johannesburg Public Safety women officials at their Public Safety Women's Indaba when she made a commitment towards the development of female members in the public safety department.
Given the history of the department, male dominance is a long-standing system.
The indaba at Ellis Park was held under the theme was “My gender does not define my ability. My calling is to serve.”
“I am not ignorant to the fact that as women you are faced with multiple and unnecessary hurdles in the department including discrimination and sexual harassment. These acts of repression shall not continue unabated.
“I encourage all women to speak up and report any such misconduct in the workplace irrespective of the perpetrator's ranking. Harsh punitive measures will be meted out against those found guilty of such,” said MMC Mokoena.
She admitted that women who take up leadership positions cannot change the status quo alone. They will need all of the other women to rally behind them for the greater benefit of female colleagues.
“It cannot be that women in leading roles are met with resistance and obstinacy from their female colleagues because of the ingrained prejudicial acceptance of the superiority of men's leadership. This needs to change,” said MMC Mokoena.
The City of Johannesburg’s first-ever female Acting Chief of Police, Angie Mokasi, shared her story when she was employed at the special unit called Special Patrol and being the only female leading 120 male officers.
She was often reminded that she has entered a man’s territory. “I have been self-motivated and positive in my thinking. Recently, when I was asked to act in my current position of a Chief of Police, I welcomed the opportunity with both hands believing that no matter the challenges the position may present, I will only learn and grow to be a strong policewoman,” she said.
She also made a call to women police to blow the whistle on gender-based abuse and violence there may be experiencing as they perform their daily duties.
Renowned actress and cancer survivor Lillian Dube inspired the women as she spoke about different kinds of cancers to look out for and how to conquer the disease at its early manifestation.
This was the first gathering among several active steps the department hopes will improve working conditions and solve unique issues of female employees in the department.
