New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Women of India and South Africa should enter into partnerships in economic development programmes, South Africa's High Commissioner Harris Majeke said here Wednesday.

Speaking at a seminar to mark South Africa's 'Women's Month', August, Majeke said, The time has come for women of South Africa and India to venture into economic development programmes. I want to see women of both countries seeking partnerships.

The seminar, 'Addressing unemployment, poverty and inequality: Together contributing towards the progressive future for women', was organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) and the South African high commission.

Majeke said women in South Africa played a major role in the movement to end apartheid and colonisation in his country, and continued to play key roles in governance.

Speaking on the occasion, Elizabeth Thabethe, South Africa's deputy minister of trade and industry, said a march by 20,000 women on Aug 9, 1956, opened the way for freedom and highlighted the power of women.

In South Africa, the representation of women in parliament stands at 43 percent after the 2009 national elections Many women hold powerful positions in the government, she said.

The relationship between India and South Africa goes a long way, and the people of both countries fought oppression, said Thabethe and added that more women should participate in delegations to each other's country.

Women need to stand up and be counted, said Thabethe.

The minister is to meet women's organisations in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra to get a feel of ways in which women are being empowered in India.