Chairperson, the IFP strongly believes that the question of gender has not yet been properly addressed. Even though we are said to be supposedly enjoying our freedom, most women are still oppressed and suffering under patriarchy, whether in the workplace or in our communities. Some males still cannot accept women in senior positions as their leaders.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign is just a tool, but is not enough to address such issues. The agencies for bringing about change are not properly resourced and lack the capacity or power to implement and educate society. Policies are endorsed, but not implemented.
Agencies must start to identify the causes of violence against women and children. The IFP, however, also believes that the abuse of alcohol and drugs plays a crucial role with regard to woman and child abuse. Hence we feel that if the agencies of change can try to resolve these issues of alcohol and drug abuse, violence against women and children can be reduced.
It is a basic human right for women and children to be thoroughly educated on issues pertaining to abusive behaviour in order for them to be able to understand at which point the behaviour of their men can be seen as abuse. Agencies must instil in women's minds in particular that they must stop justifying male behaviour in terms of who provoked whom.
The government should entrust agencies who are dealing with issues of violence against women and children with more powers to exercise and should furnish them with all the tools needed. The government must also ensure that an enabling environment is created for women and children.
Lastly, the agencies should try to create a common understanding of gender by working with women and men separately, as well as jointly, so as to deal with attitudinal beliefs which strongly influence practices at both professional and personal levels.