Speaker, thank you very much, hon Mavunda for asking the question. I agree with you, hon Mavunda, that arts, culture and heritage play an important role in nation-building and contribute to our overall efforts to address economic, social and environmental challenges.
In promoting section 31 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Department of Arts and Culture has established a directorate or a unit that addresses issues of women and children. The directorate is currently supporting the 16 Days of Activism Campaign For No Violence Against Women and Children. There is a programme that promotes social dialogue on these matters. The directorate also works with civil society bodies such as the Moral Regeneration Movement and the Arts Therapy Centre.
The directorate also implements programmes in collaboration with several other partners to empower women, girls and boys with life skills. Within the context of our Constitution, we continue to discourage patriarchal practices, which in their nature are gender-oppressive and are abusive to women and children.
The rights in section 31(2)(1) of the Constitution may not be exercised in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights. Thank you very much, hon Speaker.