House Chair, today I want to start off by paying tribute to all our social workers, auxiliary social workers and community development workers who, with minimal resources, huge challenges and brave intentions, fight diligently to implement and monitor legislation made by us in this House. I want to sincerely thank all non-governmental organisations, NGOs, faith-based organisations, FBOs, and other civil society organisations, on whom we rely for 60% of welfare services and who tirelessly protect women and children against discriminatory action.
Equality is both a founding value of the Constitution and a fundamental right. But what does this equality mean in practice, and what does it mean for women and children?
This year we want to draw attention to the perpetual cycles of inequality and vulnerability that women and children continue to face despite the existence of excellent legislation. Vulnerability and inequality expose women and children in particular to pervasive levels of violence and abuse.
It is therefore crucial that government identifies these groups of vulnerable women and children, and ensures that policies and programmes are established to create an environment where they are better equipped to deal with and overcome these challenges.
South African legislation and policies set out important principles related to gender-based violence and the protection, safety and wellbeing of women and children. However, many South African women and children are not enjoying a safe environment in which their rights are a reality and are protected, especially those in rural areas. Important legislation in this regard includes the Children's Act and the Domestic Violence Act.
Here we can just allude to the tremendous shortage of social workers, workers who could have helped to implement the Act. The problem is that government has failed to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to implement these policies and achieve the desired outcomes. As a result, levels of violence and abuse against women and children still continue to rise.
There is an urgent need for educational programmes and awareness campaigns to address the attitudes and biases that lead to these abhorrent crimes, to provide support to individuals and communities affected by them, especially in the rural areas, and to empower people to stand together and demand support and change to a system that is failing them.
Here, I need to refer to the rape and murder of Sihle Sikoji from Gugulethu, who will be laid to rest on Saturday. Our sincere condolences go to her family, and particularly her mother, Ntombizanele. This is only one of the many incidents that would never have happened if legislation and proper enforcement had been in place. Where was the task team that was supposed to investigate these hate crimes? What were the findings and the recommendations?
The Domestic Violence Act is an excellent piece of legislation. However, the fact that the SA Police Service does not consider domestic violence a stand-alone crime when it compiles statistics, means that they cannot track trends and develop effective policy strategies to combat domestic violence.
I have some recommendations to help the elimination of violence against women and children. Firstly, a five-year plan for the effective policing of domestic violence must be developed. In this plan clear goals, timelines and targets for the effective implementation of the Act need to be set. Also, the role of the SAPS evaluation service in monitoring whether these targets are being met or not, should be clearly stated.
Secondly, the referral of victims of domestic violence to health care centres for service and counselling by police officers must be closely monitored, as our public hearing revealed that this was not being implemented - and this was recently done.
Thirdly, it is imperative that domestic violence registers are maintained and monitored at all police stations. To this end, the officials responsible for monitoring and maintaining the registers must be held to account.
Fourthly, a mechanism should be developed to deal with withdrawals, or situations where women do not wish to lay charges but nonetheless still require help and protection.
Lastly, it is imperative that sufficient resources, such as specialised personnel, forensic specialists and forensic laboratories, should be allocated for evidence collected.
More than educating women on their role and value, I think it is absolutely crucial that men are sensitised as to their role in society. Some men are confused about their role as they are led by the example inadvertently set by their absent or abusive fathers. Some men are confused about their role and they experience pressure from other men who model ill-behaviour.
It is indeed a vicious cycle and can only be changed by a definite mind- set, a mind-set that teaches men about their value and worth - a clear definition of what it means to be a real man and a message so clear that it silences the messages of bad role models. In other words, this is a mind- set that knows that, firstly, real men don't hurt women; then, a real man takes responsibility for his children and does not abandon them and so repeat the cycle; and, lastly, a real man does not rape.
As it is the mandate of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities to promote, facilitate, co-ordinate and mentor in regard to making the rights of women, children and people with disabilities a reality, I call on the Minister please to leave no stone unturned in fostering a dignified and secure environment for both women and children in our country. Thank you. [Applause.]