Today we pay tribute to the women of South Africa. They are the daughters and granddaughters of the women of 1956 who had the courage to stand up for themselves, and each other, as many South African women have done -- before and since.

Over half a century later, on Women's Day, we have an opportunity to assess our progress in expanding opportunities for women. There is cause for some celebration, but much needs do be done.

There has, according to the latest Worldwide Index on Women's Advancement, been an improvement over the last five years in the socio-economic conditions of women in South Africa and this must be applauded.

However, most women still do not reach their potential. The core problem facing women in South Africa today is that so many lose their opportunities before they use them. According to a recent South African Institute of Race Relations study, more than 72,000 girls between the ages of 13 and 19 did not attend school last year because they were pregnant. Most of these young girls will drop out of school, and their opportunities in life will be severely limited as a result.

Today we must pledge to redouble our efforts to ensure that every girl child born in South Africa has the right, the space and the capability to be herself, develop herself and pursue her own ends as an equal and fully legitimate citizen of South Africa. Completing an education is the foundation of opportunity.

In particular, many South African fathers need to take more responsibility for their children. We cannot allow fathers to default on their maintenance payments so easily. And when fathers are paying maintenance, the Department of Justice cannot delay in paying that money over to the mothers who often rely entirely on that income.

The job of parents in South Africa has never been more important. To raise sons that value women, their choices and their capabilities, and daughters with a belief in the validity of their voice is the first and most important step towards achieving a more gender equal society.

When we talk about empowering women, we must begin at the beginning: we must ensure that every girl child has an equal opportunity to a quality education; that each woman has the right to decide when to become pregnant, and understands the consequences of that decision; and that every boy child grows up to respect women and to understand that they must take personal and financial responsibility for the children they father.

Unless we establish this culture of responsibility as the foundation of society in South Africa, women's emancipation will remain a pipe dream.