Hon Deputy Speaker and hon members, again I stand on this podium with joy and pride. Last year we congratulated Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on her election as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. This year, on behalf of Cope, I would like to congratulate Mrs Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who was sworn in on Monday as the United Nations Under-Secretary for Women. [Applause.] To echo her words, her task is indeed not easy. Billions of women globally are looking up to her to change their lives.
Women's rights are recognised as human rights. These rights are violated daily. Older women are victims of rape by their children and children's friends. It is a pity that after we have attained our freedom, women are still not free. Yes, progress in empowering women has been made in various fields, but women in South Africa are still facing daunting challenges. Today, South Africa ranks number four in the world with 45% women parliamentarians. Though men still outnumber women, South Africa is the major contributor to the 19% of women parliamentarians in sub-Saharan Africa.
Women are still subjected to sexist practices at home and work. There are few women who are in top executive positions in companies. The majority of women in South Africa are still to realise the freedom that was fought for by pioneers like Charlotte Maxeke. Women in rural areas are still stuck in a destructive cycle of poverty. Land ownership still favours men over women. As a result, a large portion of land is still owned by men. These women lack access to their basic human rights and are responsible for heavier household burdens. Gathering and transporting water falls on women and girls, a task that can take many hours each day in drought-prone areas.
Women constitute 46% of the economically active population, but two thirds of African women aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed. Young women who are forced to drop out of school face a bleak future. Teenage pregnancy is wreaking havoc in many poor communities. The field for women is not just bumpy but an uphill battle.
Bomme, kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa. Ka jalo, ke tshwanelo ya rona go nna ngata e le nngwe go lwantsha botlhokotsebe jo bo tlhorisang bana le basadi. Ke nako ya go tsholetsa thari re e beye mo dihubeng go bontsha tlhoafalo le kutlwelobotlhoko. Mmangwana o tshwara thipa ka fa bogaleng. Ka jalo, a molaetsa wa gompieno e nne: Go lekane, go lekane, e be e nne molodi wa letsatsi lengwe le lengwe. Ke a leboga. [Legofi.] (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Women, many hands make light work. Therefore, it is our right to be united in the fight against the victimization of children and women. It is time that we stand firm in showing our discontentment and sympathy. A mother will do anything to protect her children. For that reason, the message of today must be: Enough is enough, and this must be heard on a daily basis. Thank you. [Applause.]]