Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister Dr Chana Pilane-Majake has called on communities to work with the police in identifying and finally sending to jail all those who rape and murder young girls and women.
“As South Africans, we still believe that our law enforcement agencies, including the judiciary, will continue to bring to book all those among us who still continue to bring misery to our people,” said Pliane-Majake.
Addressing the community of Gugulethu in the Western Cape during an imbizo on Wednesday, Pilane-Majake said the culture of gender inequality continues to undermine efforts towards the development of women.
The imbizo was part of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
“It is equally important that the male population in our country join the struggle against all forms of gender discrimination.
“The liberation of our country will remain incomplete until total and unconditional liberation of women is achieved. Living life in peace and full protection is what we are calling for today for women and children,” the Deputy Minister said.
Pilane-Majake said she is pleased that despite the challenges women experience on a daily basis, there are positive results in many areas of advancement of the status of women.
“Women in South Africa are at liberty to own land and property, they participate freely and actively in the economy, they have reproductive rights that allows them to decide when to become pregnant and the number of children they can have, they are decision makers, they are also entering careers that were traditionally for men and for white men during the apartheid regime such as engineering, aviation, navy, army, law, medicine etc,” Pilane-Majake said.
The Deputy Minister said the reduction of challenges to access electricity, water and sanitation by the government of South Africa for women in rural areas is noticeable and has improved the quality of life for women.
“Today women have access to social grants, free housing, free education and tertiary education for their children, reducing the burden of fees on poor households and free health care.
“As government, we will continue to work with our social partners to promote economic empowerment for women to have easy access to resources such as finance and ensure that we fast-track skills development at all levels,” Pilane-Majake said, adding that the lack of skills disempowers women and makes them vulnerable to all forms of abuse.
“We are aware that much still needs to be done to eradicate the legacy of gender discrimination, inequality and poverty.
“It is our shared responsibility to continue to shape a national identity that is built on mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance. We all have a responsibility to ensure that we build a society where women in South Africa are free to thrive,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
