Hon Deputy Speaker, Monday, 9 August 2010, marked 54 years of commemoration of the women's march to the Union Buildings. South African women from all walks of life walked to the Union Buildings to hand over a petition against pass laws. The march was a follow-up to the 1954 Women's Charter.
On both these occasions, women came from all walks of life, irrespective of race, colour, creed or political affiliation. Women then - as they still are today - were brought together by the same problems such as poverty, violence against women, gender parity and patriarchy, and so on. These problems are the ones that bring all women together.
Therefore it is very important to understand and acknowledge that 9 August brings all South African women together. We will only be able to fight for women's rights if we fight together as South African women. During the actions taken in 1954 and 1956, South African women came in unity to fight the same problems that we still face today. These are struggles that cannot be fought by one political party, but by the South African women at large.
The theme for this month is: Working together for equal opportunities and progress for all women. When we talk about 50-50 gender parity, Parliament should be the leading example. But, unfortunately, it is not. The reason for that is that not all political parties adhere to the 50-50 gender parity principle. It should start here. Women in Parliament should be working together to achieve 50-50 gender parity.
The struggle for women continues; it does not happen only when it suits you. Therefore, it is very important for us as women in Parliament to take on this fight and ensure that the 50-50 gender parity is legislated. As the saying goes: Charity begins at home.
As Cope we acknowledge the strides taken by the government to deal with these problems. We also acknowledge the steps taken by our government on gender mainstreaming and poverty reduction in line with the resolution of the Beijing Platform for Action taken 15 years ago. But, the problems facing women remain a major challenge. For instance, we are now in the sixteenth year of our democracy, but women are still the ones that are mostly hit by poverty in rural areas and informal settlements. Women-headed households are without employment and a basic salary. Now is the time for women issues to be prioritised in the government's agenda.
Recent statistics show that every six minutes a woman is raped or sexually abused. This indicates that, instead of decreasing, violence against women is actually increasing despite the government's efforts. The recent portfolio committee oversight visits to various provinces observed that, despite having the Domestic Violence Act (116 of 1998), the scourge remains a serious challenge. Therefore the above-mentioned Act needs to be reviewed.
Government programmes that are being implemented today are the same as the demands of the 1954 Women's Charter. Women like Lilian Ngoyi, Ray Alexander nabanye [and others] would be happy in their graves if, one day, poverty- stricken women, particularly those in rural areas, could be financially independent and have access to employment. They would be happy if a gendered approach to poverty reduction would concentrate on the economic development and empowerment of poor women.
Furthermore, Lilian Ngoyi and others would be happy if resource-generating opportunities that are easily accessible and conducive to a woman's needs are made available; indigenous women in rural areas are given access to the ownership of land; programmes that provide financial assistance and credit to women at accommodating interest rates and convenient terms of repayment are initiated so as to increase a woman's opportunity to engage in small business activities; programmes are implemented that provide education and employment training that build the capacity of women to become economically independent and thus enable them to alter situations of violence; and functional literacy programmes are initiated, as these are a crucial step in empowering women to take control of their own lives.
In conclusion, Madam Deputy Speaker, the Multiparty Women's Caucus and women from other political parties should work together to achieve the above. When a human being comes into existence, a woman breaks water. Water is an important component of life - we cannot live without water. Therefore, there is no life and future without a woman. I thank you. [Applause.]