Just on the eve of the state of the nation address we read in the print media that the Expanded Public Works Programme is being run dry by corruption in the North West. Yet, this is a programme from which unemployed women and youth should benefit. It is common knowledge that corruption has become rampant in our country, both in the public and private sector. Therefore, we in Cope believe it is still a long way to writing South Africa's new story and for rural women the walk is even longer. Women in rural areas still lack skills; they lack access to arable land and tenure rights. Some have no access to clean water and sanitation.
In 2010, this government identified infrastructure development, tourism, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the green economy as job drivers. The year 2011 was declared as the year of job creation and R10,4 billion was earmarked for public transport, roads and rail infrastructure. More than R80 billion was set to be invested in infrastructure development.
The question we ask is: What has happened since the 2011 state of the nation address? Because our people, especially rural women, are yet to experience the benefits of the 2011 promises, but now we are talking about the 2012 promises.
Women in rural areas no longer need summits and conferences - talk, talk and talk all the time. For them to realise the benefits of infrastructure development, employment opportunities are needed. Added to the standing women's demands, as articulated in the Women's Charter, they have clearly and loudly voiced their challenges in a summit held by the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities last year. The Women's Charter is a document of this House. We adopted it.
Women in rural areas continue to face a multitude of challenges, both economic and social. Regarding unequal payment, women are still being paid less than men for equal work in some places of work. Women want their funding needs for their economic activities to be addressed urgently. They want to be successful entrepreneurs. It remains to be seen whether the massive investment under consideration will, in fact, reach rural women.
Women want access to land and farming facilities, including equipment and training in sustainable skills. Women farmers require tenure of land in order to ensure successful farming. Rural women require infrastructure right in the areas of their residence, namely transport, electricity, provision of sustainable water supply, sanitation facilities and accessible road networks. They don't want the sort of Bantustan-like development where good road services are only found near the home of a leader or politician, as we have seen in Ingquza with the home of former Minister for Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Should I add Nkandla, Mr President?
Women want safety and security against rapists and abusers. These are acts which perpetuate inequalities. They want safety and security for their young daughters against the so-called traditionalists who are perpetuating statutory rape through the practice of "Ukuthwala" [forced marriage]. Women want safety and security for their livestock and horticultural produce against thieves and bullies.
Programmes addressing social problems like alcohol and drug abuse must reach rural areas as well. They want consistent and efficient health care services to address HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases. Poor communication and language barriers sometimes make dissemination of information difficult. This must be addressed.
Women want the Department of Social Development to address the unintended consequences of abuse of social grants such as we see out there in rural areas. Schoolgirls in school uniform are lining up with older mothers during school hours at the banks to collect social grants for their babies. I must say this scene looks ugly.
To achieve full empowerment of women and youth, skills development and education, both formal and informal, is the only sustainable road out of unemployment, poverty and inequality. However, such education and skills development must be relevant to the economic and social needs of our country. So far, unfortunately, the current curriculum is failing us, it is failing our country. This has been repeated so many times in this House during this current state of the nation address. At the same time, the disruptive teacher union is not making the situation any better. Even as we speak, the Eastern Cape is not functioning educationally. Thank you. [Applause.]