However, to sustain achievable change, we need to focus on investing in women, creating an enabling environment and opportunities for women, and developing talented junior women now for future management, leadership and presidential roles. This includes rural women as well.
Human trafficking is also on the increase. Traffickers specifically target women and children in rural areas and often lure them away under the pretext of jobs in the big cities. Private and public institutions should become more gender sensitive and join efforts in building a collective momentum towards gender equality. I believe companies will perform better if they are led by women.
Workplace violence and sexual harassment against women continues. When you empower, protect and build a woman, you are inevitably building a community and ultimately a nation. Therefore, South Africa can free itself from the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality only when its women are free, safe and not violated.
Women will gain momentum through the eradication of corruption and a reduction in the rate of new HIV/Aids infections, which affect women more than their male counterparts. We need to do away with sexism and racism as well.
In conclusion, the government needs to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to gender equality, remove gender-based barriers to education and examine how the country is doing in advancing and advocating the Gender Agenda. Thank you. [Applause.]