Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members and all hon Ministers present in the House, today we celebrate Women's Day to honour the contribution that women made to the attainment of our democracy. In many ways, women bore the brunt of apartheid's cruelty and pettiness. In the aftermath of that repression, we not only decided to celebrate a national Women's Day, but also ensured that gender equality forms a central tenet of the new democratic Constitution.
So, today we can celebrate the advances in gender equality, but with a sense that there is still much more that needs to be done. Indeed, certain indicators are positive, such as the number of women who enrol for further education. However, across the spectrum of social, economic and safety issues, women continue to suffer disproportionately.
In social terms, there continues to be large numbers of women who have to fulfil multiple roles in poverty-stricken households. The burden of being the sole breadwinner and sole parent in the face of overwhelming poverty and little and or no basic services is a heavy one. We have to ask ourselves whether current government interventions, primarily by way of social grants, are having the desired outcome of helping these women.
The social factors overlap with the economic status of women. Those who are at a social advantage often find themselves at the economic disadvantage as well. We must acknowledge that one of the most important aspects to address these concerns in the long run is education. Education is the bridge that can span the gulf between socioeconomic suffering and prosperity. It is our duty to build that bridge, maintain it and help as many disadvantaged South Africans, women included, to cross over it to a better future.
Finally, allow me to emphasise the question of women and security. We live in a country with shocking high rates of abuse and violence against women. These crimes continue with sickening regularity. We - especially men in position of authority - must continuously commit ourselves to rooting out this evil; it is immoral and repressive. It makes a mockery of our attempts to build a society that is fairer and better than the one we had under apartheid. I thank you. [Applause.]