AS THE country wraps up celebrations of Woman's Month this week, Progressive Women's Movement SA convener Hlengiwe Mkhize says women have to be empowered at all levels and not be put in a box.

Mkhize, who is also deputy minister of economic development, said promoting women to influential positions was not good enough as most companies had not been transformed.

She believed her portfolio in government will help her to ensure that women played a meaningful role in the economy.

"It's a big one for us. Women are worse off on BEE deals. They did not benefit women but men benefitted from them," Mkhize said.

She wants to see a majority of women owning property, and participating in big business such as mining and agriculture.

She said the PWMSA has to investigate building hubs that would help women financially and non-financially in establishing their businesses.

For instance, the government could buy land where various sectors can be stationed to assist women who want to be entrepreneurs or help them with skills to help them get employment.

Most women, she said, carried the double responsibility of leading at home and work.

"It's fine for men to sit around and chill with friends after work while women work during the day and in the evening take care of their children."

She said there were serious social ills in society and could be overcome through the economic empowering of women.

Financial empowerment would mean women will not be subjected to ills like human trafficking and being enticed to become drug moles.

Mkhize said the PWMSA, which was formed in 2006, was a vehicle allowing all women to discuss issues freely irrespective of their political parties.

She said all political parties, including the Democratic Alliance, United Democratic Movement and Inkatha Freedom Party will be represented.

She said the PWMSA had agreed to hold a national general council soon which will deal with most challenges affecting women with the hope of emerging with a clear vision.