Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC echoes that violence against women is unacceptable in any society and must not be tolerated. It is one of the most widespread violations of human rights, with one in three women being subjected to some form of violence in their lifetime.
On 25 November 2006, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we should say with one voice that enough is enough. Women who seek redress for abuse sometimes do not receive adequate support from the institutions that are supposed to assist them.
Government's initiatives to eradicate the scourge of violence against women and children are encouraging. There have been initiatives to reform the criminal justice system and improve the state's response to violence against women, including a specialised sexual offences court and rape reporting centres in some local police stations.
The rights of women to equality, freedom and security of person and other freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights need to be asserted and defended. I thank you. [Applause.]