Hon Speaker, hon Ministers, hon Deputy Ministers and hon members, the ANC's aspirations to an equal society are unparalleled in history. The Freedom Charter envisages a society where everyone will live in security, peace and comfort. It promises that the children will be cared for by the state. In fact, the very founding principles of the ANC struggle, enunciated in the National Democratic Revolution literature, are a commitment to the genuine equality of all people. Key to this is the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the country's citizens.
Furthermore, South Africa has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provides for protection from all forms of violence and discrimination. Article 9 states that children have a right to be protected from being hurt physically and mentally.
Against this background, the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities is charged with the obligation to undertake oversight visits to departments and provinces. This is to ensure that the rights of children and people with disabilities are upheld and protected, as enforced by the legislation, which prescribes access to opportunities for children with regard to skills development, and empowerment opportunities.
The oversight revealed that the impact of the combined effects of both gender and disabilities has not gained sufficient attention. Children with disabilities experience specific forms of violence associated with their disabilities, for example children with mental disability or intellectual disability. Research has shown that perpetrators of violence are often caregivers - be they at home or in institutional settings - or relatives or other children.
The lack of understanding of the situation during a sexual assault, due to their inability to say no, can be perceived as their consent to sexual abuse by the perpetrator. The burdens experienced by children with disabilities wanting to denounce violence include lack of information and communication in accessible formats.
Universal access design is still a huge challenge, and causes more impediments to them in using their full potential.
In response to the hon member from the opposition, who said that gender violence is perpetuated by a lack of leadership, I want to say that if we as Members of Parliament feel that we are not performing our leadership duties, we should not be here. We are paid to be here so as to give direction and leadership to our society. So, if we come here and say there is no leadership and criticise, as if we are tourists and not citizens of this country, I think we should leave, because we are getting salaries to serve the community. [Applause.]
In conclusion, Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, once said:
There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.
Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.