The gathering was part of the Office of the Premier's programme for women's month.

The Deputy Director General in the office of the premier, Faith Mashimbye said: "I do believe that women have got the ability to complete any task given to them.

I am a strong woman who believes that there are solutions to all the challenges that many women are facing in the world today."

Keipelege Moseki, Chief Director at the Human Resource Management Directorate said women must not only occupy senior positions but they must have the power to influence decisions in government.

"As women, we must not only occupy senior position but we must play an active role in decision making especially when it comes to women empowerment and equality in the public service.

We must not fold our arms and say nothing in meeting when we feel that the decisions that are taken are not favourable to women," she said.

Moseki further commended government's effort of increasing the employment of women in senior positions.

She said in the North West province the employment on women in senior position is below 30 percent while men continue to dominate.

"We have the responsibility as woman senior managers to push the agenda of women empowerment and equality in the public service.

The statistic of employing women in the public service will not increase if we do not lead by example, we need to do more work in empowering other women so that they become fit to hold these senior positions," she said.

Mmamathe Makhekhe - Mokhuana, Government Information Technology Officer mentioned that she is happy to be a woman in South Africa and she salutes all the women who took a stand and fought for the rights of women.

She mentioned that there are lots of opportunities that are opening for women to develop themselves and that they need to grab them.

"We can say we are free now as women but there are some challenges that we are facing especially at work.

We as women need to prove ourselves that we can get top positions because we deserve them not because of the affirmative action." She said.

Okgabile Dibetso - Bodibe, Chief state law advisor also said: "I am a strong who believes in God and all my achievements especially at work are the results of my God.

I confidently believe that God will give us direction as we fulfill our duties in our positions as women.

Dibetso - Bodibe highlighted that rural women are still facing some challenges especially unemployment and abuse even after17 years of our democracy.

"Women need to go out there and see what they can do. Life was difficult in the older days, now things have changed.

Women need to brave themselves and know their rights. "I am still hopeful that things can change," she said.

In 2007, the Head of the departments (HoD's) 8-Principle Plan of Action for promoting women's empowerment and gender equality within the public service workplace was launched.

The Plan was intended to enhance women's empowerment and equality in the public service.