Hon Chairperson, 2011 will see International Women's Day celebrating its 100th year after it was first celebrated on 9 March 1911, and the IFP joins the international community and all other political parties in paying homage to the women of the world on this International Women's Day. In its first year, it was celebrated and commemorated by only four European countries. Today, 100 years later, it is celebrated annually by all member states of the United Nations.
The theme this year focuses on the fundamental aspects and rights of women being allowed to enjoy equal access as their male counterparts to education as well as to training within the fields of science and technology. One of the main hindrances within sub-Saharan and the South African context to a woman achieving prominence in the above fields is poverty. Young women are being sent out to work by their parents in order to secure additional income for the family. The result is that they are unable to complete secondary schooling and, as a direct consequence thereof, tertiary training. Science and technology are fields in which tertiary training is a prerequisite, and young women should be encouraged by all means necessary to progress to tertiary education.
Gender inequality that hinders young women entering the fields of science and technology must be eliminated. These mindsets must be changed and be brought into the 21st century in order to create the necessary space for a young woman to pursue whatever career path she chooses.
In Africa, for instance, women produce approximately 80% of the food, yet only own 10% of the land. Crime against women is out of control. When it comes to domestic violence, rape and human trafficking, too many perpetrators of these crimes are not ever prosecuted and convicted. It is issues such as these that must be addressed if we wish to pay more than just lip service to uplifting one of our most precious resources.
The eradication of poverty, as well as the commitment of parents to their daughters' education, inclusive of tertiary education, will go a long way in enabling the young women of this world to pursue lucrative careers within the fields of science and technology which, in turn, will pay handsome dividends for the homes of those families whose daughters have been so educated.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation.
Whilst the IFP acknowledges that International Women's Day is celebrated on one day during March of each year, we as the party stress the need that women of our country and of the world should be honoured each and every day of the year and that the values that are celebrated on International Women's Day must be promoted unceasingly each and every day, and that the women of the world should be treasured and cherished for the women they are. I thank you. [Applause.]