Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) joins millions of South Africans to declare, violence and abuse of women and girlchildren, a crime against humanity.
Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms, as well as gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. The recent spate of gruesome murders of girls and infants, have a devastating effect on girls, women and society in general, and must be rejected by all.
As a nation, we must never tolerate crime, the crime against women and girls must be stopped now. We must do everything legal, to prevent it from happening and address its root and structural causes.
Prevention must entail, supporting the implementation of the laws, policies and programmes that place a strong focus on the promotion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and their enjoyment of human rights.
Working together, as women, girls, men and boys, we must accelerate progress in preventing and ending violence against women and girls.
Awareness raising and community mobilisation, including through traditional forms of communication, the mainstream and social media.
The “Not in My Name” campaign by men must be part of our daily life. It must be a collective responsibility and an obligation of both men and boys to prevent and end violence against girls and women.
Working with faith leaders, traditional leaders and communities, we must change the social norms and harmful practices, acknowledge and act against gender injustices.
Government must too, ensure that the girlchild is protected and make available all the institutional function to give security to the girls. Abuse of girls through child labour is illegal and we have a responsibility to monitor the labour market and ensure that this is abolished.
There must be a concerted drive to ensure that all girls enjoy full and equal access to education with the necessary support to keep them focused on the development of their future.
A girlchild must be taught and encouraged to accept that there is no small or insignificant violence; all violence is gross violence and is a crime, and therefore must immediately be reported to law enforcement agencies at the time of its occurrence.
Law enforcement agencies must be trained and taught on how to respond and manage gender-based violence.
As society, we must build working families and household that respect human life.
Criminals, who murder our young women must have no place in our homes, political parties, churches, schools, sports, and arts and cultural associations and in the society in general.
I thank you
Address in the NCOP by Mr LB Gaehler, MP and UDM Eastern Cape Representative in the National Council of Provinces
