The National Prosecuting Authority has established over 40 Thuthuzela Care Centres for rape victims. The efforts of the Minister of Police to strengthen and resource the FCS units are highly applauded, as these will expedite responses to these crimes. We also commend the Minister of Health for recruiting and training forensic technicians to staff the fourth, additional, forensic laboratory. This will go a long way in processing vital evidence on sexual offences. We remain convinced that empowering women will help us win the war against poverty, inequality, unemployment and abuse. We are confident that the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill will help address the underlying causes of gender-based violence. The Bill seeks to give concrete expression to our collective commitment to gender equality. Among other things, it will clarify and define the institutional mechanisms for gender transformation. We have taken this route because we are convinced that it is critical for South Africa to have a gender policy with a legally binding status that is enforceable. This legislation will give effect to the equality clause in the Constitution to promote gender equality as a fundamental human right in all areas of social life.