Hon Speaker, as we celebrate International Women's Day on 08 March 2013, it is still glaringly evident that a lot still needs to be done in order to uplift women, never mind ensuring their equal status with men.
Women in the rural areas in particular are vulnerable because the ideals and norms that govern their communities are still strongly patriarchal and hinder the advancement of women's rights. In these areas women live in extremely poor conditions as rural development is constantly stifled by political infighting and broken promises made by the officials pandering for votes.
Access to basic services is a daily struggle. Girls find themselves constantly at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to their education. Cultural and economic duties require girls to be at home, while boys are expected to study further and be leaders in society. When a woman gives birth to a boy there is great excitement, but there is disappointment when a girl is born. This is so entrenched in our culture.
There are many projects, events and initiatives that aim at celebrating and promoting the rights of women in this country, yet it all amounts to nothing if women and girls are constantly raped and murdered at will.
The legacy of this generation of leaders must be to ensure the true advancement of women's rights; women owning land; women being equal players in making decisions that will shape the future of this country; and feeling safe to walk across the street without being harassed.