National Assembly: 27th August 2009

Honourable 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 at achieving gender equality. There are also more women in prominent positions and in positions of authority. The many strong women sitting in this National Assembly today is evidence of this.

The problem, however, is that these advances seem to have stayed at a certain level and have not filtered down to the grassroots level and benefited the majority of women. The abuse of women, both physical and mental, 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 taken and the plans that are implemented do have the desired effect and actually benefit the majority of women in our country and 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.

Momentum needs to be built from grassroots 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 both boys and girls must be treated as equals and given equal opportunities and at home the actions of adults, and 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 actions 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.

I thank you.

Contact:
Connie Zikalala,     083 282 8384