House Chairperson, hon members ... [Interjections.] No unfortunately, International Women's Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on just how much the Gender Agenda has evolved and whether we are taking the necessary steps towards gender equality seriously or not.
In South Africa gender equality has over the years gained momentum, and good progress has been made. Nowhere is this more evident than in the increased number of women who occupy leadership positions in various sectors of our society, including government and the private sector. As owners and managers of businesses, many women provide jobs to thousands of our people. We therefore salute them on these achievements.
However, the full picture shows that although women are present in the highest echelons, their numbers are far from equal to those of men. Men still dominate leadership and decision-making positions. We need to do more to ensure that women have an equal voice in decision-making, both in government and in the private sector, more especially in projects that affect our lives, our communities and our country.
The Gender Agenda achievement is also dwarfed by the shocking levels of violence against women and children in South Africa. We must deal harshly with those who beat up our women, rape them and abuse our children. They must face the full might of the law. But we should also take it a step further. We must work hard to change the patriarchal status quo behind gender-discriminatory practices, which go unchallenged in public and private debates, media campaigns and education. Rooting out these practices would, among other solutions, help us deal with the enormous problem of gender-based violence in South Africa. Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo! [You strike a woman, you strike a rock!] [Applause.]