For ALL Women and Girls: equality cannot wait
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) joins the global community in marking the International Day of the Girl under the theme For ALL Women and Girls. This year’s observance reminds us that genuine gender equality requires inclusion across class, race, geography, and generation.
Across South Africa, girls continue to live between promise and prejudice. Women make up 51% of the population and head 42% of households, yet they remain underrepresented in the economy and leadership. Female unemployment stands at 33.9%, rising to 38% among Black African women, and women occupy less than a third of senior management positions. These figures reveal not a lack of talent but a failure of opportunity.
Gender-based violence and femicide remain the most devastating expression of inequality in our country. South Africa continues to record some of the highest levels of violence against women and girls, turning homes and communities into unsafe spaces. This brutality reflects a deep moral and social crisis that demands urgent action. Laws alone are not enough; we need a justice system that acts swiftly, police who protect survivors with compassion, and communities that refuse to normalise abuse. UDEMWO continues to advocate for the denial of parole to those convicted of rape and the murder of women and girls, as a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated. Every woman and girl deserves to live without fear, and every act of violence must be met with justice.
Cultural and social norms continue to hold girls back. Faith and culture are important sources of identity and guidance, but they should never be used to justify the subordination of women and girls.
A recent study shows that seven in ten men believe women should obey their husbands, demonstrating the urgent need to reinterpret cultural norms in ways that promote equality and dignity for all. From villages to boardrooms, transformation must reach tradition. Traditional and religious leaders, families, men, and boys must work together to dismantle harmful stereotypes and build communities where girls’ dreams are nurtured and respected.
UDEMWO believes that empowering girls begins with economic freedom, quality education, and bodily autonomy. Economic inclusion, from equal pay to access to finance for women-owned enterprises, is not charity; it is justice. It is also smart economics because when women and girls thrive, entire communities benefit.
UDEMWO therefore calls for:
1. Equal investment in girls’ education, especially in rural and low-income communities.
2. Gender-responsive budgeting at all levels of government to fund programmes that directly improve the lives of women and girls.
3. Zero tolerance for gender-based violence and femicide, including the denial of parole for rapists and murderers of women and girls, and better support for survivors through policing, prosecution, and psychosocial care.
4. Partnerships with faith and traditional leaders to reinterpret cultural practices in ways that affirm equality and human dignity.
5. Economic inclusion and empowerment through equal pay, targeted support for women-owned enterprises, and access to credit and land.
6. Mentorship and leadership pathways for girls to enter science, politics, business, and community leadership.
As we commemorate the International Day of the Girl, UDEMWO honours the courage of girls who, despite obstacles, refuse to be silenced. Their struggle is not separate from that of women; it forms its foundation. Our collective task is to ensure that every girl in every community can live and lead freely, safely, and equally.
For ALL Women and Girls. Our future depends on it.
