Fighting the odds against waste
- Published on 15 Sep 2015
- HR Pulse News Desk
Empowering women to get involved in trade and industry is essential to build stronger economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.
“Women are the greatest resource any country has,” South Africa Women in Science and Engineering (SAWISE).
Gizell Marion, manager of REDISA’s depot in Pretoria East, is a great example of women who have been empowered and use their resources to help make meaningful contributions in their communities. She is passionate about uplifiting communities through job creation and waste alleviation. Marion saw the need for job creation in her community and she decided to employ 2 more staff at the Pretoria East depot at her own costs.
“Life is a choice, I’ve chosen to help the under privileged in my community and I’ve made it my personal mission to go above and beyond my means to do so”, says Marion.
Marion won the ‘Investing in People’ award at the inaugural REDISA recognition award ceremony in May. REDISA recognises women like Marion who have overcome the negative impact of waste in the environment and have made it their personal mission to clear the community in which they live of harmful waste. REDISA has assisted in transforming many lives through skills development, training and job placement.
In South Africa, the role of women is critical for the development of the country. Women have the greatest influence on the next generation, they set the standards for health and hygiene and they form the majority for the agricultural labour force, South African Women Mining Association (SAWMA).
REDISA is dedicating this Women’s month to celebrate all women in the waste industry. 200 businesses and 2500 jobs have been created through the REDISA Plan. “I think the economic emancipation of women cannot remain a song; it has to become a reality. This means that as a country and as businesses we need to invest in greater efforts to advance gender equality and empower women. ,” REDISA Director Stacey Davidson.
