Durban - President Cyril Ramaphosa and KwaZulu-Natal Premier-designate Nomusa Dube-Ncube both called on citizens to play their part in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide by speaking out.
Ramaphosa and Dube-Ncube were addressing hundreds of women who had gathered at the Silahla Sports Field in Richmond in the KZN Midlands at the official event to commemorate the 66th national Women’s Day.
Ramaphosa said because of the bravery and sacrifices of the women of 1956, the women of South Africa today had equal rights and opportunities.
He said the country had made great strides in the empowerment of women, including that there were more female students enrolled in universities than men.
“Close to half the members of Parliament are female, we are seeing more female judges and for the first time in history we will have a female Deputy Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya, who is a role model to other aspiring female judges,” he said.
However, Ramaphosa added that GBV was a stain on yesterday’s celebrations.
“Hardly a day goes by in this country without a report of women being attacked, being violated, and being killed by men. This cannot continue.
“The women of South Africa have had enough of being afraid.”
He said GBV was not a problem for women but rather a “men’s problem”.
“It is a problem of men with no respect for women, who feel they can do what they like with their girlfriends or partners. It is a problem of men who lack the maturity to accept the end of a relationship and hunt down their ex-wives or ex-girlfriends.
“It is a problem of men who think culture, custom and religion empowers them to hit their wives, sisters, and daughters and to deprive them of their rights.”
He called on South Africans to play their part in the fight against GBV and femicide.
“Silence is no longer an option. Silence is the dark corner in which women and children are abused, beaten, raped, and killed.”
He added that women also bore the brunt of poverty and slow economic growth, especially as there are more women-headed households and women were more likely to be unemployed compared to men.
According to the president, in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality the government was providing temporary work opportunities to women through the Community Works Programme, the Expanded Public Works Programme and by supporting community caregivers and community health workers.
He said female entrepreneurs, especially small business owners, are also supported through the province’s Rural and Township Economies Revitalisation Strategy.
Speaking at her first event as premier-designate, Dube-Ncube said women belong in leadership and decision-making positions as they knew how to get things done.
Dube-Ncube said: “Women know how to stretch the rand; with very little they can feed the whole family. That is why we want women to be at the forefront of rebuilding KZN.”
Dube-Ncube also used the podium to call for an end to GBV and femicide.
“We plead with men to stand up and fight against GBV and femicide. We plead with good and honourable men in our society to take a stand and say ‘not in my name’.”