Speaker, Billy Graham once said, and I quote:
We all need to be reminded that there is nothing morbid about honestly confronting the truth of life's end and preparing for it, so that we may go gracefully and peacefully. The fact is that we cannot truly face life until we learn to face the fact that it will be taken away from us.
The late Ms Hangana surely realised that death was not the greatest loss in life, but that the greatest loss was what died inside of us while we still lived. That was exactly the reason or motivation why she fought vigorously for the rights of women.
We are convinced that she never allowed any challenge to bar her from reaching the goals she set for vulnerable women. She was indeed a voice for the voiceless and a comfort to those in need. She never allowed any obstacle to dim the caring spirit for women inside her.
Her relentless opposition to the ill treatment of women and children is illustrated by the fact that she worked as national convenor for the 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. She understood the lack of access to resources and basic services, oppression, as well as unequal rights in communities and family structures.
I am sure she was painfully aware of many rural women who were caught up in patriarchal society, where men still dominated income and society. Women's specific roles - mothers, caregivers and providers - were greatly respected by her and she fought vigorously behind the scenes for equality and equity for those women. Today the late Ms Hangana can be remembered as someone who clearly made a difference to the lives of so many women. Being Women's Month, we will remember her and continue to do what she did best.
We convey our prayers and sincere condolences to her beloved family for the days ahead. May her soul rest in peace, knowing that the service she rendered to others was really only the rent she paid for her room on this earth. It is obvious that we are all travellers, and that the purpose of this world is not to have and to hold, but to give and to serve. There can surely be no other meaning. [Applause.]