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The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) must investigate the sexist, patriarchal remarks made by President Jacob Zuma in his television interview with People of the South’s Dali Tambo.

The President undermined the right of women to make their own choices by saying that the only role of a woman should be to get married and have kids, and that “being single is not right”.

The CGE is a constitutional entity mandated to advance, promote and protect gender equality in South Africa. In terms of its legislative mandate, the CGE may receive and investigate gender-related complaints from the public.

It is degrading to the women of South Africa that the President has stood up and publicly condemned women who choose to remain single and not have children.

The CGE was established to uphold the right to gender equality enshrined in the Constitution. The Commission must therefore look into this issue with urgency and make the appropriate recommendations for the President to correct his derogatory remarks.

I will today be writing to the chairperson of the CGE, Mfanozelwe Shozi, to request that the Commission investigates the President’s remarks.