Hon Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members and guests, human rights are for everyone. Women's rights are human rights.
We read almost daily about the young women who are victims of corrective rape. Last week it was reported on national television that a young woman was stabbed in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Two days before that we saw on our television screens a young woman buried in Tembisa, Gauteng.
What do these two incidents have in common? Both women are lesbians. It is estimated that three out of ten corrective rapes a week take place in Cape Town alone.
We do not hear the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities condemning these brutal acts. We, as Cope, would like to know whether the Ministry has taken any steps to influence monitoring and evaluation of the Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development and Correctional Services' handling of corrective rape. Has the Minister taken any steps to influence the South African government to prioritise the issue of corrective rape?
I would like to remind this House of the first case of corrective rape to gain national prominence in South Africa. In 2006, Zoliswa Nkonyana, 19 years of age, was clubbed, stoned and beaten to death by a mob of young men. The nine men accused of murder have still not been sentenced. The court keeps adjourning. This trial has been postponed 32 times.
Deputy Chairperson, violence against women is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. It is well-documented that gender inequalities and human rights violations continue to put women and girls at risk of HIV infection. Violence against women and girls robs them of their dignity. Worldwide, HIV is a leading cause of death and disease amongst women of reproductive age, ie between 15 and 49 years of age. Here at home, HIV prevalence in the 30 to 34-year-old age group increased to 41,5% in 2009.
HIV-positive women and girls lack information on sexual and reproductive health. They have restricted options when it comes to their sexuality. They need an adequate and friendly support system. This will enable them to make free decisions about their sexuality without being discriminated against.
What action has the Ministry taken to mainstream HIV-positive women's empowerment? Chairperson, our country is at war with its women and children. I thank you. [Applause.]