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LUGANO, Switzerland, March 9, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

On the occasion of International Women's Day, ESMO affirmed its commitment

towards "An equal world is an enabled world", through the partnership with

Township Patterns for the sustainable production of congress bags for its

meetings, helping women in townships around Cape Town to become autonomous

workers by running sewing cooperatives.

"Gender equality is a social responsibility: everyone can take an active part

toward its achievement," said ESMO President Solange Peters. "As a professional

society, we are at the forefront to address inequalities among female oncologists,

and our activities are fueled by strongly believing in empowering women across

every discipline and industry sector. Sometimes we just do not realise that every little

action we take, such as selecting the right partner for producing gadgetry at meetings,

may have an impact on global sustainability,  and I am proud that ESMO is making wise

choices in this regard."

By commissioning over 20,000 bags since 2017, ESMO has actively contributed to

empowering 30 women across four cooperatives within Township Patterns' network.

Cooperative chairlady Asakhe Sisilana said, "In the cooperative, we are able to support

each other by saving money collectively as well as creating a fund for difficult times.

Also, the work has helped us to fix our homes and get ready for wintertime to make sure

our families are dry and warm. With a steady job, the ladies are in control of their money

and that is powerful."

About ESMO

ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more

than 25,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 160 countries

worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information.

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Source: European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)