Date: 21/09/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Debate on Pan African Women's Organisation, NCOP
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES DURING THE DEBATE ON THE TOPIC "VOICES OF WOMEN: WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE AND PLACE OF THE PAN-AFRICAN WOMEN'S ORGANISATION", Cape Town, 21 September 2004
The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Joyce Kgoali,
Honourable Members,
Let me congratulate you Madam Chairperson and this House, on the decision to hold this important debate on the role of African women in building a new Africa, and in particular the role of the Pan African Women's Organisation in this regard.
Given the enormous contribution of African women in the struggle for the liberation of the continent, we need to remember that it is imperative for women to become involved in the running of the affairs of the continent, and the rebuilding of the continent.
We are all aware of the enormous challenges that face the African continent, of poverty and underdevelopment, arising from the decades of colonialist marginalisation and exploitation. The question of working for the sustainable development of the continent is therefore critical, and is uppermost in the agenda of the African Union.
In order to achieve sustainable development and an improvement in the life of all, we need to prepare the political environment.
That is why through the African Union, we all work to promote democracy, good economic and political governance, and eradication of conflicts and generally strive to achieve economic growth and development.
The Constitutive Act of the African Union provides the framework for the promotion of women's rights, and for women to participate in this broader programme of rebuilding the continent.
Under the Principles, which guide the AU, there are at least three clauses in Article 4, which have relevance to human rights and women's rights, namely;
* The promotion of gender equality;
* Respect for democratic principles, human rights, rule of law and good governance; and
* Promotion of social justice to ensure balanced economic development.
All the institutional and implementation organs of the African Union, including NEPAD and the Pan African Parliament, have committed themselves towards gender parity and representation in all the work they undertake in rebuilding the continent. For example, for every fifth representative of all member states of the Pan African Parliament, the Constitutive Act decrees that one must be a woman.
The Pan-African Women's Organisation therefore has structures with which it can work, to advance gender equality in the programmes of the African Union.
With regards to the socio-economic development of the continent, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) clearly spells out the role of women, as well as programmes through which the empowerment of women can be achieved.
These include the promotion of women in social and economic development by reinforcing their capacity in the domains of education and training; the development of revenue-generating activities through facilitating access to credit; and by assuring their participation in the political and economic life of African countries.
The Pan-African Women's Organisation should play a leading role in monitoring and evaluation, to ascertain whether the AU and its organs meet such obligations and undertakings.
Another important area is that of conflict resolution. The African Peace and Security Council has been established to assist in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
It is well-known that women experience the brutality of war more than men. At the recent attack at the United Nations camp in Gatumba, Burundi, many of the victims were women and children. I doubt we would be wrong if we say the majority of inhabitants of refugee camps in Africa are women.
This necessitates a more active participation of women in the programmes of preventing, managing and resolving conflicts as well as peacemaking and peacekeeping. Women should not be seen only as victims of war and recipients of assistance.
Avenues should be open for them to become active in the peace and security structures to inform and manage the manner in which the continent deals with conflicts.
With regards to socio-economic rights, we all know the challenges facing women in individual African nation-states. There is a need for urgent interventions in the areas of promoting access to social services, instituting campaigns against gender-based violence and protecting legal rights of women regarding land, property, inheritance, education and all other socio-economic rights.
There could be lessons to be learnt from a few individual states about how they have responded to some of the challenges facing women. We believe our country could make a good case study. South Africa has had a vibrant history of women's involvement in the struggle for liberation and political life in general. This has informed the actions and programmes of the democratic government since 1994.
Women continue to play a visible and active role in Cabinet, in Parliament, as Premiers in provinces and in many other senior positions in the public and private sectors.
The presence of women in such senior positions and the efficient and effective manner in which they run the institutions they head, is an indication of the outstanding capabilities of South African women.
Having said that, we must hasten to add that government sees its responsibilities as opening up opportunities for a better life and participation in the public life of our country to all women, and not only to a few middle class women.
This explains the massive programmes that government has initiated over the last 10 years, to improve access to basic social services, education, business opportunities and others to enable all women, regardless of station in life, to enjoy the fruits of democracy and freedom.
A number of laws have gone through this House, aimed at improving the quality of life for women. These include the employment and economic opportunity legislation, safety and security legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, and social legislation such as the Maintenance Act forcing all parents to take responsibility for the raising of their children.
Our country is also a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and we strive to fulfil these obligations at all times.
I am mentioning our country as an example Chairperson, of what can be done if women and men work together actively to mainstream gender in the public life of the country. We still have a long way to go, but I believe South Africa has made a good start.
The Pan-African Women's Organisation could play a role in promoting information sharing and learning from each other as various African countries.
Madam Chairperson, the struggle for the emancipation of African women continues, and it is a struggle that all of us need to participate in. We cannot leave it to PAWO members alone.
We all have a duty to be part of the programme of building a gender-sensitive Africa.
We will know we have achieved the end of this struggle when Africa is free of discrimination, oppression and violence against women.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
21 September 2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Debate on Pan African Women's Organisation, NCOP
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES DURING THE DEBATE ON THE TOPIC "VOICES OF WOMEN: WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE AND PLACE OF THE PAN-AFRICAN WOMEN'S ORGANISATION", Cape Town, 21 September 2004
The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Joyce Kgoali,
Honourable Members,
Let me congratulate you Madam Chairperson and this House, on the decision to hold this important debate on the role of African women in building a new Africa, and in particular the role of the Pan African Women's Organisation in this regard.
Given the enormous contribution of African women in the struggle for the liberation of the continent, we need to remember that it is imperative for women to become involved in the running of the affairs of the continent, and the rebuilding of the continent.
We are all aware of the enormous challenges that face the African continent, of poverty and underdevelopment, arising from the decades of colonialist marginalisation and exploitation. The question of working for the sustainable development of the continent is therefore critical, and is uppermost in the agenda of the African Union.
In order to achieve sustainable development and an improvement in the life of all, we need to prepare the political environment.
That is why through the African Union, we all work to promote democracy, good economic and political governance, and eradication of conflicts and generally strive to achieve economic growth and development.
The Constitutive Act of the African Union provides the framework for the promotion of women's rights, and for women to participate in this broader programme of rebuilding the continent.
Under the Principles, which guide the AU, there are at least three clauses in Article 4, which have relevance to human rights and women's rights, namely;
* The promotion of gender equality;
* Respect for democratic principles, human rights, rule of law and good governance; and
* Promotion of social justice to ensure balanced economic development.
All the institutional and implementation organs of the African Union, including NEPAD and the Pan African Parliament, have committed themselves towards gender parity and representation in all the work they undertake in rebuilding the continent. For example, for every fifth representative of all member states of the Pan African Parliament, the Constitutive Act decrees that one must be a woman.
The Pan-African Women's Organisation therefore has structures with which it can work, to advance gender equality in the programmes of the African Union.
With regards to the socio-economic development of the continent, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) clearly spells out the role of women, as well as programmes through which the empowerment of women can be achieved.
These include the promotion of women in social and economic development by reinforcing their capacity in the domains of education and training; the development of revenue-generating activities through facilitating access to credit; and by assuring their participation in the political and economic life of African countries.
The Pan-African Women's Organisation should play a leading role in monitoring and evaluation, to ascertain whether the AU and its organs meet such obligations and undertakings.
Another important area is that of conflict resolution. The African Peace and Security Council has been established to assist in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
It is well-known that women experience the brutality of war more than men. At the recent attack at the United Nations camp in Gatumba, Burundi, many of the victims were women and children. I doubt we would be wrong if we say the majority of inhabitants of refugee camps in Africa are women.
This necessitates a more active participation of women in the programmes of preventing, managing and resolving conflicts as well as peacemaking and peacekeeping. Women should not be seen only as victims of war and recipients of assistance.
Avenues should be open for them to become active in the peace and security structures to inform and manage the manner in which the continent deals with conflicts.
With regards to socio-economic rights, we all know the challenges facing women in individual African nation-states. There is a need for urgent interventions in the areas of promoting access to social services, instituting campaigns against gender-based violence and protecting legal rights of women regarding land, property, inheritance, education and all other socio-economic rights.
There could be lessons to be learnt from a few individual states about how they have responded to some of the challenges facing women. We believe our country could make a good case study. South Africa has had a vibrant history of women's involvement in the struggle for liberation and political life in general. This has informed the actions and programmes of the democratic government since 1994.
Women continue to play a visible and active role in Cabinet, in Parliament, as Premiers in provinces and in many other senior positions in the public and private sectors.
The presence of women in such senior positions and the efficient and effective manner in which they run the institutions they head, is an indication of the outstanding capabilities of South African women.
Having said that, we must hasten to add that government sees its responsibilities as opening up opportunities for a better life and participation in the public life of our country to all women, and not only to a few middle class women.
This explains the massive programmes that government has initiated over the last 10 years, to improve access to basic social services, education, business opportunities and others to enable all women, regardless of station in life, to enjoy the fruits of democracy and freedom.
A number of laws have gone through this House, aimed at improving the quality of life for women. These include the employment and economic opportunity legislation, safety and security legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, and social legislation such as the Maintenance Act forcing all parents to take responsibility for the raising of their children.
Our country is also a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and we strive to fulfil these obligations at all times.
I am mentioning our country as an example Chairperson, of what can be done if women and men work together actively to mainstream gender in the public life of the country. We still have a long way to go, but I believe South Africa has made a good start.
The Pan-African Women's Organisation could play a role in promoting information sharing and learning from each other as various African countries.
Madam Chairperson, the struggle for the emancipation of African women continues, and it is a struggle that all of us need to participate in. We cannot leave it to PAWO members alone.
We all have a duty to be part of the programme of building a gender-sensitive Africa.
We will know we have achieved the end of this struggle when Africa is free of discrimination, oppression and violence against women.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
21 September 2004
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