Madam Deputy Speaker, women in South Africa face the same challenges, whatever their political affiliation.
Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, the previous speaker, my colleague, wasn't able to finish her statement ...
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, she did.
No, she didn't finish her statement and I would like you to ask her to finish it. Thank you.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, her time had already expired when I said there was a point of order.
Women in South Africa face the same challenges, whatever their political affiliation. They suffer physical abuse, they are under constant threat of being raped, they experience prejudice in the workplace, and they are subjected to cultural practices that are pertinently discriminatory. For women it is a huge uphill struggle. The struggle has to be intensified. The struggle has to be kept alive.
In the past, women stood up against racial discrimination and unjust laws in our country. Thousands of women left the country for various destinations in Africa and Europe to wage war against racial oppression. Every woman wants to be accorded respect and be treated with dignity. Every woman wants to enjoy equality with men. Every woman is therefore first and foremost a woman. The women of South Africa may have different views on many issues but they are united in their resolve to stand together and be counted as one.
By showing solidarity with one another we will create a future for our children in which girl children and women will be accorded the respect they rightfully deserve. Yesterday marked the 53rd Anniversary of Women's Day. Instead of it being celebrated for its universality, it was disheartening to find the ANC Women's League trying to monopolise the event that commemorated the march of our mothers that ended up at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956 against the imposition of the pass laws. We commemorate the struggle of all women from all persuasions.