Chairperson, there is no doubt that gender issues now receive more attention than they did in the past and, although slow, progress is being made in certain areas in achieving gender equality. There are also more women in prominent positions and in positions of authority. [Applause.] The many strong women sitting in this National Assembly today are evidence of this. [Applause.] The problem, however, is that these advances seem to have stayed at a certain level and have not filtered down to grass-roots level to benefit the majority of women.
The abuse of women, both physically and mentally, is rife in South Africa, and the challenges that women have to overcome are still too numerous. It is obvious that more needs to be done to ensure that the decisions that are taken and the plans that are implemented do have the desired effect and, in fact, benefit the majority of women in our country, not just a select few. This will not be achieved through legislation and policy alone. A change in attitude and a greater commitment is needed by all South Africans if gender equality is to be achieved. [Applause.] Momentum needs to be built up from grass-roots level.
Many of the stereotypes regarding the traditional roles of men and women are still prominent today, and these will persist and be passed on to future generations, unless a concerted effort is made to change them. At schools, boys and girls must be treated as equals and be given equal opportunities, and at home the actions of adults, in particular men, must reflect the fact that men and women are equal. Efforts aimed at achieving gender parity and putting an end to misguided gender stereotypes need to be embedded in our society and become the norm.
We as politicians need to examine the efforts that we have made to empower women, and determine the areas of weakness and failure, so that corrective action can be taken and a greater impact made. The policies and laws that we pass must have as great an impact as possible and really empower women. The struggle for gender equality and women's empowerment is not a battle that should be fought by women alone. I therefore appeal to the male parliamentarians to become more active and involved in gender issues and debates. We must intensify our efforts and turn all the good ideas and plans that we have into reality.
Leli lizwe ngelamakhosikazi. [Ihlombe.] Ngiyabonga. [This country belongs to women. [Applause.] I thank you.]