Date: 08/03/2004
Source: Ministry of Health
Title: M Tshabalala-Msimang: International Women's Day
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR MANTO TSHABALALA-MSIMANG, AT THE COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, NTHABISENG THUTHUZELA CENTRE, BARAGWANATH HOSPITAL, 8 March 2004
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Violence against women and children is a major challenge, which, if not addressed, will cripple our young democracy. As we celebrate ten years of democracy in 2004, we want to recognise this as a serious threat to the very fabric of our society. It undermines our humanity and it violates human rights.
We need to confront this issue and that confrontation needs commitment and resolve from each and every South African. We all need to say that gender-based violence and violence against our children and elderly has no place in our society.
I thank each of you for being here today, for demonstrating your commitment to confronting this social challenge and for making a difference. But we need to do more. A few voices are not loud enough. Every South African needs to know that silence is consent. I intend to make my voice heard, and I know you are here today to make yours heard too.
Today is International Women's Day and we are very proud to be part of the global celebrations. International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history. It is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. As early as the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for "liberty, equality, fraternity" marched on Versailles to demand women's right to vote. Many events and activities took place since than that ultimately led to the declaration of an International Women's Day including the signing of the United Nations (UN) Charter in San Francisco in 1945, which proclaimed for the first time gender equality as fundamental human right.
We know that this is being taken most seriously across the world. In New York, at the UN, the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is hosting a similar panel discussion in which we are engaging today. The Secretary-General is also drawing attention to the UNAIDS theme for World AIDS Day 2004, which is "Women, girls, HIV and AIDS", another timeous and powerful call to partners across the globe to focus their activities on this issue.
We must recognise government's active role in highlighting gender imbalances as critical in the transformation, reconstruction and development of our country - and we must recognise the valuable role that women play in that same transformation and development.
Very importantly, we are also here today to re-state our gratitude to the Royal Government of Denmark whose generous support has aided the setting up of structures and processes that should facilitate a meaningful response to the challenges relating to violence against women and children.
The Danish funds enabled the establishment of Violence Against Women and Children and HIV and AIDS Programme - which operates within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund - and which are centrally co-ordinated in the Ministry of Health.
Violence is as much a public health issue as a criminal justice and social development issue. We know that, in many instances, women remain subordinate. Poverty brings social marginalisation, which effectively renders them citizens without rights. Violence is widely accepted as a means of resolving inter-personal conflict and physical punishment of women and children is tolerated.
The few support services that relate to gender-based violence are under-resourced and over-extended. These problems become disincentives for reporting cases of sexual violence. Critically, violence against women and children is closely linked to the incidence of HIV infection in the region.
On the positive side, there have been considerable legislative changes during South Africa's first decade of democracy that promote the rights of women. A range of new laws, for example the Domestic Violence Act, the Maintenance Act, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, the proposed Sexual Offences Act and the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act all address gender related issues.
Yet, their implementation and acceptability have been hampered by continued discriminatory attitudes and practices, a lack of resources, and inadequate training and skills. In addition, a lack of trust in law-enforcement agencies and healthcare providers, under-reporting of incidents of gender-based violence, low conviction rates for offenders and increasing HIV prevalence add to the problems.
There are massive challenges. But we cannot afford to be daunted by the big picture. There are immediate needs that must be met - urgently and effectively.
Both Government and non-governmental organisations have a responsibility to respond to sexual assault in a way that sees that justice is done and that those subjected to this crime are enabled to reclaim their lives.
It is important that perpetrators of rape and other sexual crimes are brought to account. This is an important part of the healing process for victims. It is equally important for the health of our communities. And we all have a part to play.
The health needs of those who have suffered sexual assault are equally important to the quest for justice. It would be a hollow victory to see the perpetrator sent to jail, if the individual who was attacked is left with deteriorating health and a disease that could possibly have been prevented. When we talk about a comprehensive response to sexual assault we have in mind the whole bundle of interventions that give the "victim" the very best chance of full recovery.
Great work is already being done by the Programme on Violence Against Women and Children, such as the intersectoral initiative to develop an integrated and sustainable Anti-Rape Strategy. This is well underway and will encompass an approach that enables both prevention and response to the current crisis of violence; improve effectiveness of the criminal justice system, increase the rate of reporting of sexual assault and improve effectiveness of survivor support programmes.
Already, this has resulted in some meaningful interventions, capacity development of key service providers and improved delivery of services to women and their families who have been victims of violence.
The Stop Women Abuse Helpline has been upgraded and resourced. Violence prevention measures in schools were investigated and 'Safe Schools' projects were initiated in several provinces with encouraging responses from educators and learners. But once again, the lessons learned from these early interventions show that active and co-ordinated partnerships are key. Sustainability depends on a multi-sectoral, multi-agency approach.
I cannot fail to recognise work being done under the auspices of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), and especially in this regard, the Women in Partnership Against AIDS and Men in Partnership Against AIDS. In fact, all through the month of March, South African men across provinces are marching in support of women and children.
In a true spirit of a people's contract to improve the lives of women, men of this country are adding their voice to our campaigns and they are highlighting their unity in helping us curb the scourge of women and child abuse.
I have always said that an integrated approach is the only way forward. Government, the donor community, private sector and civil society must collaborate to achieve our national goals and to validate our constitution. Alliances are crucial. We've shown what we can achieve through the partnership with the Royal Danish Government and the United Nations. But it needs some momentum.
I am calling on our partners both in government and the private sector, local communities, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, traditional healers, and the schools and universities - to talk about the issue of gender-based violence. I am calling on us all to talk about it, and to do something about it.
Let us break the silence. Let us promote dialogue. Let us share knowledge and resources. Let us plan together. Let us work together.
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Health
8 March 2004
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
Source: Ministry of Health
Title: M Tshabalala-Msimang: International Women's Day
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR MANTO TSHABALALA-MSIMANG, AT THE COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, NTHABISENG THUTHUZELA CENTRE, BARAGWANATH HOSPITAL, 8 March 2004
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Violence against women and children is a major challenge, which, if not addressed, will cripple our young democracy. As we celebrate ten years of democracy in 2004, we want to recognise this as a serious threat to the very fabric of our society. It undermines our humanity and it violates human rights.
We need to confront this issue and that confrontation needs commitment and resolve from each and every South African. We all need to say that gender-based violence and violence against our children and elderly has no place in our society.
I thank each of you for being here today, for demonstrating your commitment to confronting this social challenge and for making a difference. But we need to do more. A few voices are not loud enough. Every South African needs to know that silence is consent. I intend to make my voice heard, and I know you are here today to make yours heard too.
Today is International Women's Day and we are very proud to be part of the global celebrations. International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history. It is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. As early as the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for "liberty, equality, fraternity" marched on Versailles to demand women's right to vote. Many events and activities took place since than that ultimately led to the declaration of an International Women's Day including the signing of the United Nations (UN) Charter in San Francisco in 1945, which proclaimed for the first time gender equality as fundamental human right.
We know that this is being taken most seriously across the world. In New York, at the UN, the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is hosting a similar panel discussion in which we are engaging today. The Secretary-General is also drawing attention to the UNAIDS theme for World AIDS Day 2004, which is "Women, girls, HIV and AIDS", another timeous and powerful call to partners across the globe to focus their activities on this issue.
We must recognise government's active role in highlighting gender imbalances as critical in the transformation, reconstruction and development of our country - and we must recognise the valuable role that women play in that same transformation and development.
Very importantly, we are also here today to re-state our gratitude to the Royal Government of Denmark whose generous support has aided the setting up of structures and processes that should facilitate a meaningful response to the challenges relating to violence against women and children.
The Danish funds enabled the establishment of Violence Against Women and Children and HIV and AIDS Programme - which operates within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund - and which are centrally co-ordinated in the Ministry of Health.
Violence is as much a public health issue as a criminal justice and social development issue. We know that, in many instances, women remain subordinate. Poverty brings social marginalisation, which effectively renders them citizens without rights. Violence is widely accepted as a means of resolving inter-personal conflict and physical punishment of women and children is tolerated.
The few support services that relate to gender-based violence are under-resourced and over-extended. These problems become disincentives for reporting cases of sexual violence. Critically, violence against women and children is closely linked to the incidence of HIV infection in the region.
On the positive side, there have been considerable legislative changes during South Africa's first decade of democracy that promote the rights of women. A range of new laws, for example the Domestic Violence Act, the Maintenance Act, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, the proposed Sexual Offences Act and the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act all address gender related issues.
Yet, their implementation and acceptability have been hampered by continued discriminatory attitudes and practices, a lack of resources, and inadequate training and skills. In addition, a lack of trust in law-enforcement agencies and healthcare providers, under-reporting of incidents of gender-based violence, low conviction rates for offenders and increasing HIV prevalence add to the problems.
There are massive challenges. But we cannot afford to be daunted by the big picture. There are immediate needs that must be met - urgently and effectively.
Both Government and non-governmental organisations have a responsibility to respond to sexual assault in a way that sees that justice is done and that those subjected to this crime are enabled to reclaim their lives.
It is important that perpetrators of rape and other sexual crimes are brought to account. This is an important part of the healing process for victims. It is equally important for the health of our communities. And we all have a part to play.
The health needs of those who have suffered sexual assault are equally important to the quest for justice. It would be a hollow victory to see the perpetrator sent to jail, if the individual who was attacked is left with deteriorating health and a disease that could possibly have been prevented. When we talk about a comprehensive response to sexual assault we have in mind the whole bundle of interventions that give the "victim" the very best chance of full recovery.
Great work is already being done by the Programme on Violence Against Women and Children, such as the intersectoral initiative to develop an integrated and sustainable Anti-Rape Strategy. This is well underway and will encompass an approach that enables both prevention and response to the current crisis of violence; improve effectiveness of the criminal justice system, increase the rate of reporting of sexual assault and improve effectiveness of survivor support programmes.
Already, this has resulted in some meaningful interventions, capacity development of key service providers and improved delivery of services to women and their families who have been victims of violence.
The Stop Women Abuse Helpline has been upgraded and resourced. Violence prevention measures in schools were investigated and 'Safe Schools' projects were initiated in several provinces with encouraging responses from educators and learners. But once again, the lessons learned from these early interventions show that active and co-ordinated partnerships are key. Sustainability depends on a multi-sectoral, multi-agency approach.
I cannot fail to recognise work being done under the auspices of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), and especially in this regard, the Women in Partnership Against AIDS and Men in Partnership Against AIDS. In fact, all through the month of March, South African men across provinces are marching in support of women and children.
In a true spirit of a people's contract to improve the lives of women, men of this country are adding their voice to our campaigns and they are highlighting their unity in helping us curb the scourge of women and child abuse.
I have always said that an integrated approach is the only way forward. Government, the donor community, private sector and civil society must collaborate to achieve our national goals and to validate our constitution. Alliances are crucial. We've shown what we can achieve through the partnership with the Royal Danish Government and the United Nations. But it needs some momentum.
I am calling on our partners both in government and the private sector, local communities, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, traditional healers, and the schools and universities - to talk about the issue of gender-based violence. I am calling on us all to talk about it, and to do something about it.
Let us break the silence. Let us promote dialogue. Let us share knowledge and resources. Let us plan together. Let us work together.
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Health
8 March 2004
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
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