Thank you.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Deputy Chairperson and hon members of the House, I am once again very honoured to be addressing and participating in this debate of the NCOP, which has allocated time for a debate on Women's Month, under the theme: "Working together for equal opportunities and progress for all women". This session takes forward the process of engagement that has been happening in various provinces, looking at the progress we have made as a country in improving the status of women and working towards a truly nonsexist South Africa.
Over the past 16 years, we have seen our country taking major steps aimed at improving the status of women in socioeconomic, political and cultural spheres of life. Representation of women in the legislature increased from 25% after the first democratic elections in 1994 to 44% after the April 2009 elections. South Africa proudly stands at number three amongst the countries of the world with the highest number of women in Parliament. The number of women members of Cabinet, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, increased from 18% in 1994 to 40% after the 2009 general election.
The ruling party, the ANC, adopted the principle of 50-50 gender parity at its last national conference in Polokwane in 2007. The Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities is taking action to ensure that this resolution, which is also in line with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, is realised.
We are currently developing the Gender Equality Bill, which is going to serve as an overarching Act to ensure gender equity throughout our society. We have to ensure full participation by women in all spheres of life. It should encourage the culture of gender equality throughout our society. It will strengthen the legislative basis for promoting gender equality and seek to reduce gender-based discrimination in all areas of life in South Africa. Such a Bill will be a major tribute to the pioneers of our struggle for gender equality and democracy in our country. These are the courageous women whom we remember this month. On 9 August 1956, these 20 000 women, carrying 100 000 petitions, descended on the Union Buildings, the seat of the then mighty apartheid government. These women protested against the inhumane act of having to carry passes in the urban areas, something their white sisters did not have to do.
They delivered the petitions to the office of J G Strijdom. Women throughout the country had put their names on these petitions, indicating their anger and frustration at having their freedom of movement restricted. These women of South Africa sent a strong message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by the unjust laws of the time.
Fifty-four years later, the famous women's march phrase, "You strike a woman, you strike a rock; uzokufa, Strijdom; wathint' abafazi!" ... [You will die, Strijdom; you strike women!" ...]
HON MEMBERS: Wathint' imbokodo! [You strike a rock.]
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: ... has come to represent women's courage and strength in South Africa. As a group that had been marginalised, women rose to question the barrier and fought for their emancipation and freedom for all. Since 1994, this day has been commemorated every year to recognise and recall the bravery of these women who risked arrest, banishment, forced exile and even death, to have their voices heard. This day on our country's calendar serves to remind us that we need to review the path we have travelled and find solutions for the challenges facing us now. Like our mothers did in 1956, we, the women of South Africa, must today continue the struggle against a system of patriarchy and sexist stereotypes, the underlying factors that hinder progress towards gender equality and perpetuate gender-based violence.
Our country can show many gains and achievements in promoting women's rights and advancing gender equality. However, many challenges persist and need to be overcome if we are to achieve a truly democratic and nonsexist state. The key issues include the intensification of poverty eradication, rural development, economic empowerment of women, and an effective response to the major challenge of violence against women and girls.
Our programme for this month is a dynamic one. It seeks to reach women of different social backgrounds in their localities. We are taking an approach of reaching out to women in rural and urban areas - employed and unemployed, rich and poor - seeking to address the various ways in which patriarchy affects their lives and limits their development.
We have met with young women from universities to discuss issues of education and the critical role they have to play in transforming the gender demographics of our economy through the careers that they choose. We gathered with women from various churches and prayed together for a society free of all forms of abuse of women and children. On the historic day of 9 August, we gathered with thousands of women in East London, where we received a visionary address by the President.
We also saw many activities around the country celebrating this day in August. We have met with influential women in the private sector to discuss issues of the glass ceiling put on women and engaged with working-class women through the Women's Day event organised by Cosatu last Sunday. We have debated issues affecting women in the National Assembly and in provincial legislatures. I had the honour of participating in a debate a week ago in Mpumalanga. Today we are debating this issue in this august House of the NCOP.
We are also paying attention to the particular challenges faced by women with disabilities. On 27 August, we will pay special tribute to women with disabilities who have made significant progress in their chosen fields of work. We hope that this event will serve as an encouragement to other women who are faced with the double challenges of gender inequality and various limitations that our society still places on people with disabilities.
The outcome of all these activities should inform the strategic approach we take in addressing the various challenges facing women in our country. We will be reflecting on all our engagements at the closing event for Women's Month, which is being planned to take place in Limpopo, and at the national gender conference scheduled for October this year.
All of these discussions should culminate in a clear programme of action that enables all of us to respond to the many challenges facing women in all provinces. That programme of action should also guide our endeavours to ensure that South Africa makes significant progress towards the attainment of commitments such as the Beijing Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals that come under review at the United Nations, UN, next month.
A lot of effort has gone into ensuring full participation by all sectors in this year's Women's Month celebrations. We are, indeed, satisfied that this month is becoming a period when all of us as South Africans reflect on advances made and recommit ourselves to address the many challenges on our path to creating a truly nonsexist and democratic society.
Let us work together for equal opportunities and progress for all women. Let us make the period from 2010 to 2020 a truly prosperous decade for all African women on the African continent. I thank you. [Applause.]