Hon Chairperson, I would like to start off by qualifying what constitutes the core of my opinions today, or what could be seen as contradictions. Today is just one of the few days when I, and of course many other women in this House, don't speak just on behalf of the parties we represent, but on behalf of our own kind and, therefore, on behalf of ourselves. I speak here today on behalf of the UCDP as its representative, on behalf of our Women's League, and feel absolutely privileged that I also speak on behalf of myself as a woman.
The theme for International Women's Day is the "Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum". This theme disturbs me. This is a day commemorated by the United Nations as a day to celebrate women's achievements regardless of divisions in nationality, ethnicity, linguistics, culture, economics and politics. For centuries now men and women have been advocating gender equality in our homes, in our churches and in the workplace. Yet, in the year 2013, we still have a theme that suggests that gender equality is only just starting to gather momentum.
I'm disturbed because this suggestion is so true. You only need to watch the next news bulletin, whether national or international, to know that we have made little progress in ensuring that the gender agenda is well entrenched in our systems.
I do think and believe that men and women are created equally in God's image, equally responsible for sin, equally redeemed by Christ, equally responsible for the use of their God-given talents and gifts. Any interpretation of Scripture that prohibits women from being fully human constitutes injustice and must be judged and seen as an abuse of power. Any lesser treatment dished out to women is an infringement of fundamental rights and must be interpreted as an abhorrence in God's eyes.
Gender discrimination is about prejudice. It's an attitude that one gender is superior to and better than the other, which really is utter nonsense. Wh, then, still benefits from gender disparities and in whose interest is it to continue with the status quo? What self-respecting human wants to take from another their freedom, dignity, resources and life itself?
I therefore look forward to a day when this day shall cease to be about gender atrocities and injustices. I look forward to a day when International Women's Day will be about celebrating what it is and means to be a woman - a celebration of a woman's power and her softness, her beauty, and her moods and how she makes the world liveable and beautiful for all. I look forward to a day when we'll celebrate a woman as a giver of life, a nurturer. I look forward to a celebration of women's choices being entirely their choices, when a woman can choose to wear a mini or knee-length skirt without fear of judgement.
I look forward to a day when gender equality will not be about ticking boxes, meeting quotas, or being politically correct, as we are probably doing here today. I look forward ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]