Hon Chairperson, Minister, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, the International Day of Rural Women directs our attention to the challenges that young rural women face in our country. While considering that over the past 15 years our nation has made formidable progress in advancing the conditions and needs of women in certain areas, the vast majority of our young women remain mostly disadvantaged, not reaping the benefits of our democratic dispensation.
They still suffer from the absence of timely and adequate medical care, inadequate diets, and a lack of information and maternal health, resulting in complicated pregnancies and high maternal mortality rates. Young women in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to poverty and unemployment; and are subjected to becoming the slaves of culture, which in most cases takes away their youth and self-esteem. It takes very strong characters, for instance Caster Semenya, to survive against all odds.
The unemployment rate amongst young rural women is very high when compared to that of women in urban areas in the country. This indicates that the majority of young black women continue to live under extremely poor conditions in rural areas. We must aim to reduce the impact of poverty on rural women, based on the principles of sustainability and empowerment.
Women constitute 52,2% of South Africa's population. So, when we call for a better life for all, it means that we should have a larger impact on women, who constitute the majority of our population.
Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have the highest proportion of females - the largest number of the population - with the lowest level of development. The poorest of the poor in these highly rural provinces are the rural young women. This is cause for concern.
Strengthening our rural communities can only yield results once we mobilise young rural women into a powerful, active and united force that will know how best to seize economic opportunities in all three spheres of government, and if we develop policies for the provision of more health care, and improve the literacy and financial literacy of young rural women.
The legislation on the National Youth Development Agency received unanimous support in Parliament even from the opposition benches. That shows the commitment of government to improving the lives of young rural people. The agency will ensure that the youth agenda occupies centre stage in our national development agenda. The struggles of South Africa's youth can never be in vain and we must continue to rededicate ourselves to the efforts and cause of the generations before us and advance their ideals as best we can.
One of the key principles of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities is that 80% of the department's work will be driven externally. That means most of the work will be to reach out to communities.
Young women, stand up and grab the opportunity for socioeconomic rights. The time is now. No one but you will free you from the shackles of poverty, victimisation and abuse. Life is not about where you come from, but where you are going. The ANC has made a promise to better your lives. It will never forsake you nor leave you. Working together we can do more. Thank you. [Applause.]