The Gauteng chapter of Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD), or Izinhlwathi, a vehicle to streamline the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector, was launched in December. The initiative is spearheaded by national minister of agriculture Lulu Xingwana and the event was attended by Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment Khabisi Mosunkutu. WARD’s primary objectives include the promotion of women-friendly agrarian and land reform programmes, protection of the rights of women farmworkers, including their land tenure rights, streamlining of access by women to finances and training opportunities. WARD is a sustainable project aimed at further broadening the frontiers of freedom and human rights to more South African women.