Deputy Speaker and hon members, we gather here today to pay tribute to the late Cheryl Gillwald. On behalf of the UDM, allow me to express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of bereavement. The late Mrs Gillwald had a long and illustrious career with a list of achievements that far outweigh the number of years she was among us. I was privileged to work with her in her capacity as Deputy Minister. She was a really dedicated politician.
Of all her achievements, we will best remember her for her unrelenting battle against gender-based violence. It is poignant that we should be bidding her farewell so soon after national Women's Day. She conceived of the No Violence Against Women and Children campaign when other senior members of government were prone to dismissing the severity of rape and domestic violence. In so doing she demonstrated not only vision and wisdom, but also the courage to speak up. Her passion for this important cause never wavered, and thus the campaign has become an annual event.
To her family, we can say without hesitation that she was a democrat and a nation-builder, and her legacy will live on. Perhaps it is far more difficult to be a hero in a time of peace - she certainly proved herself a heroine to every abused woman. We hope that you can take some measure of consolation in that.
We believe that she has sown the seeds of liberty with her dedication to gender equality and that, in the years to come, ten thousand Cheryls will blossom to stand up against those who abuse women. I thank you.