Hon Chairperson, in supporting this Bill one is again reminded of the activity, the round-table discussions, that we had yesterday, as the NCOP. The total absence of the members of the DA in yesterday's exercise is a reflection of how they are dealing with issues related to women.
Perhaps I should just remind members of the Western Cape that under the leadership of the DA, it took their predecessor, Helen Suzman, more than 30 years to be the only woman represented in Parliament. That, in itself, is a structural-historical issue that we are trying to deal with.
This Bill, in particular, tries to break that historical, colonial and structural economist ideology. At the heart of it is to break the barriers of patriarchy in our society. And, for as long as they do not see that patriarchy is the oldest ideology, which has been at the centre of the oppression of women, there is no way that the DA or the Western Cape will transform to the point where women in leadership will emerge.
It is not only about women in leadership on the basis of wanting to appease women but, as the Bill says, over and above issues of women empowerment, it is about skilling; it is about empowering women in so far as knowledge is concerned. It is about giving them the capacity to lead, to own and to give direction in our society.
Hence, as the Northern Cape, we are continuing to say we shall move South Africa forwards, together with the women of this country. [Applause.]