Madam Chairperson, our father of democracy, Madiba, repetitively said and I quote: "There must never be any form of oppression ever again in our beautiful land."
As we globally recognise and applaud women's achievements, let us equally observe and highlight gender equalities and issues. Let's make the pertinent call for and commitment to improving young people's access to quality health care, building educational equality for pregnant and parenting teens and improving access to prenatal care and treatment for substance-using pregnant women.
Furthermore, let us ensure that women of colour and low-income women have access to all birthing options, defend reproductive rights and build reproductive justice.
It's time for action to end violence against women. Let's work for it to happen. Women are likely to face deliberate discrimination in every field of the science, engineering and medical professions.
Peace should be cultivated within each family and, indeed, if men want to be as strong as women are, then let's begin to respect women first. Women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist and to no one organisation, but should be the collective effort of all who respect human rights.
Whilst equal rights for women are progressive and achievements are being celebrated, let's not lose focus, but rather continue to be vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. The majority of the world's 1,3 billion absolute poor are women, and they earn an average of 30% to 40% less than men doing the very same job.
While South Africa has made significant progress in terms of political leadership, we cannot advance on a journey of goals dependent on the hardship experienced by women. They continue to be victims of rape and domestic violence, which constitute significant cases of disability and death. New Delhi's Jyoti Singh Pandey and South Africa's Anene Booysen and Reeva Steenkamp are just a few to mention.
More funds must be utilised to fund centres that help abused women. South Africa is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union that is working closely with the UN, that adopted a resolution on how parliamentarians can promote effective ways of combating violence against women.
If we have to wage a war for world peace, let the spirit of togetherness shine brightly over the dark days of apartheid into the light of democracy and development. Let the true fragrance of joy and peace of the world's greatest women conquer any negativity that hinders the spirit of humility, nation-building and transformation.
Championing women's equality globally with greater understanding, awareness and commitment is of paramount importance to the promotion of women's empowerment.
Some 2 500 years ago, a great Rishi in India, by the name of Gautama ji, once said that true happiness is when what you say and what you do is in harmony with the advancement of women in solidarity. I thank you.