Minister warns against FAS during Women’s Month celebration in Cederberg

As part of ongoing Women’s Month commemorations, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz, hosted over 100 women farmworkers for a women’s outreach and luncheon.

The women come from different farms around the Cederberg area, on the West Coast.

The Minister was joined by Cederberg Municipality Mayor, Jimmy Bernard, to celebrate the women who often go unnoticed as farm labourers. The day saw the women sharing poetry, holding a talent show and enjoying live music.

During Women’s Month, the Minister has been engaging women from across the province on his outreach programme, and this year has placed a particular focus on rural women.

“Every women in this province is special, and deserves every right to live with dignity, safe from any form of abuse or gender-based violence”, said Minister Fritz.

The Minister had a strong message on the issue of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), saying, “The FAS prevalence rate here on the West Coast is 64 children per 1000 affected (6.42%), making it one of the highest in the world”.

He went on to say, this is why I am calling on you to help spread the word that FAS is 100% avoidable if we prevent our pregnant relatives and friends from drinking”.

The West Coast FAS rate can be compared to Kimberley (60/1000), Witzenberg area (96/1000), and the worst prevalence rate in the world of 122/1000 found in De Aar.

The Minister committed to continue assisting rural women tackle their social ills, including FAS, and wished all the ladies a happy Women’s Month further.