I want to conclude by saying that I think the campaign against violence against women and children demands of all of us to change our behaviour. I also want to say that HIV is a behaviour-change issue. It is not so much about whether people get medicine. We must change our behaviour. To men and parliamentarians, let's start with ourselves so that we can be an example to the community out there. [Applause.]
Dr U ROOPNARAIN (KwaZulu-Natal): Chairperson, members of this House, I think it's very clear that violence affects women. It cuts across political lines and borders and knows only one gender: women.
I want to talk a little about domestic violence. It is very clear that it's a serious social evil. Unfortunately, South Africa has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence, which manifests itself in a number of forms.
Domestic violence also has serious social, economic and psychological consequences for both women and children. Often it is the children who are unprotected from violence.
The lack of verifiable statistics makes it very difficult to quantify the level of abuse or the extent of the scourge. The Department of Justice estimates that one in every four women is a survivor of domestic violence. Also, 60% of all abuse is committed by someone we know, whether a partner or a spouse. Domestic violence is not a once-off incident but occurs on a continuum. It's actually a seriatim of events. Also, domestic violence is not something that is cultural; it is criminal. It is every nation's problem and it needs a response that is commensurate with the seriousness of these crimes.
To end the violence we need to treat the causes and symptoms. This requires an increase in prosecutions. Perpetrators need to know that it won't be business as usual - a slap on the wrist. We need tougher measures. In this way women will be able to reach complete equality in every sphere of life, whether in the private or public sphere.
Gender-based violence is not simply a woman's issue. It is also a global challenge to human security and human rights. We must ensure and try to promote the engagement of men. I think it even needs to start with this House. We need to hear more men's voices on the subject. Violence against women and children continues unabated and it starts with every one of us. We need to go back and educate our constituencies and our communities.
Women are the key to progress and prosperity. When they are marginalised, maimed and mistreated, humanity cannot progress. When they are accorded rights and afforded equal opportunities, whether in education, health care, employment or political participation, they uplift their communities, families and, more importantly, their nations.
It is time that ending violence against women becomes a priority for us all, not just during the month of the 16 Days of Activism but 365 days a year. Strong political leadership is needed, including advocacy in international forums. It is critical and we need to seek sustained progress. We have good legislation but legislation needs to be implemented. It must not be theoretical but has to translate into action.
The first form of violence against women is the one that takes place by intimate partners or by somebody we know - and I think most of the members said this. The second form is by others - maybe somebody from the community. There are three main strategies for dealing with this. We need to increase women's access to justice. Women need to know that if they go to the police station, policemen are sensitised on how to deal with rape. We need to increase women's access to support services and they need to know how to prevent violence. We need more funding for crisis centres or shelters. Most of the time, NGOs operate on the smallest of budgets. Again, we need to ensure that policy translates into practice.
South Africa strongly supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. All eight of them are equally important, but Millennium Development Goal 3, which relates to gender equality and the empowerment of women, is particularly critical. If men and women don't have equal social and economic status, then progress in other areas will be slow, if not hollow.
To be effective we must have a programme of action that challenges and addresses long-term attitudes that perpetuate inequality. There has to be a change in mind-set. Progress has been made - we can't deny that. But a lot more needs to be done. The public silence needs to be broken. We always assume that domestic violence is a private matter because it occurs at home.
We know that children are the most vulnerable group. They are powerless and voiceless, but it is they who are subject to abuse and rape in the home. It is the men who tell them, "Let's keep this a secret; let's not tell anyone." I know that many of us are mothers, daughters and sisters. Women need to rise up and teach their children ... [Time expired.]