Chair, before turning my attention to South Africa on this International Women's Day, my thoughts have been turned to women in the Middle East. I am reminded at this time of one Middle Eastern woman in particular. As the sun set on Thursday, 8 March, the eve of International Women's Day, it marked the time prescribed in Esther, chapter 9, for Jews to remember their deliverance from the plans of the then prime minister of the Persian Empire to exterminate them. Esther, chapter 4, verse 14 records Mordecai's challenge to Queen Esther:
If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
Jewish people face a disturbingly similar situation today as the prime minister of Iran, the Persia of old, threatens to destroy Israel. Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is quoted as saying: "This origin of corruption ..." - referring to Israel - "... must be wiped off the face of the earth." This statement amounts to incitement to genocide by a nation, which is contrary to the International Convention on Genocide, of which South Africa is a signatory.
Thousands of Iranian missiles are aimed at Israel and Iran funds the armies of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Both express similar aims. Currently, Iran, the former Persia, is developing nuclear capabilities, which, they claim, will be used for peaceful purposes. All things considered, is it any wonder that Israel feels the need to defend itself - its men, women and children?
South Africa is one of the few countries in the world that supports Iran's nuclear programme. We also abstained from the UN resolution to send the issue of Iran's nuclear programme to the Security Council. Yet, South Africa is the only country in the world to have developed nuclear weapons and then destroyed the entire programme, an example all people, women and children no less in the Middle East Region would benefit from if Iran were encouraged to follow suit. What will our silence cost not only the people of Israel, the people of Iran and the entire Middle East but also the people of South Africa?
Women in Africa are also key to saving lives, as nearly three-quarters of South Africa's food is produced by women. In South Africa, half a million families grow food and raise animals at subsistence level or below and the vast majority of those families are women-headed. Food security requires market access and doubts have been raised regarding the budget's ability to enable women to gain access where it is needed. A huge difference could be made for thousands of women farmers, if, for example, rail upgrades were to include rural stations, rural and small-town marketplaces were regenerated and degraded roads were repaired.
After 101 years of celebrating Women's Day internationally, its success is said to be measured by three things: The level of increased awareness for overcoming inequalities for women; the levels of action and finance that are allocated directly ... [Time expired.]