Hon Speaker and hon members, the celebration of International Women's Day presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the status of women in the world and in our country today. The question is: Where are we insofar as the fight for gender equality is concerned?
Our Constitution is very clear about the rights of women and the non- negotiable need for gender equality. The struggle to establish democracy would not have succeeded without the support of women, and would have lacked credibility if it had not been explicitly aimed at achieving a nonsexist society. Therefore, we are morally and legally obliged to pursue gender equality, now that we have attained freedom, and our democracy will lack credibility if half of the citizens, or even more, are regarded as inferior because of their gender.
There are many legal and policy changes which have advanced the cause of gender equality over the past 15 years which we can celebrate. Indeed, there have been remarkable women and men who have shown leadership on issues relating to the rights and dignity of women. We can celebrate these positive changes and sterling leaders today.
But today we must also evaluate those areas in which we are failing. Among the victims of crime, especially sexual and domestic violence, women are in the majority. In respect of a whole range of social problems, women constitute the majority of sufferers. On the question of poverty and unemployment, it is once again women who make up a disproportional section of those affected. As a society, our failure to address these issues is an indictment.
We have to focus on finding solutions to address these shortcomings, especially to disentangle the overlap which often occurs between the physical violence, social injustice and economic inequality suffered by the women of this country. I thank you.