Motion Without Notice By The ANC Chief Whip On Womens Day
21 August 2007
I move without notice, that the House;
Noting,
That two weeks ago, on 9 August 2007, we celebrated our National Womens Day, and that this month, August, is our national Womens Month.
Recalls,
That we observe this day to salute the millions of heroic South African women who engaged in struggle both before and after August 9, 1956, to whom we owe the freedom we enjoy today. On this day, the women of South Africa converged on the Union Buildings from every corner of our land, thus creating one of the enduring landmarks of our countrys history.
Recognises,
That as long as women are bound by poverty and as long as they are looked down upon, human rights will lack substance. As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow. If a nation refuses to acknowledge the equal role of more than half of itself, it is doomed to failure.
Further recognises,
That many women in our country live in conditions of poverty and that the location of a significant number of women in rural areas and the underdevelopment in these areas are responsible for the poor conditions under which they live;
Believes,
That it is incumbent upon each and every one of us to be agents of change in order to win the battle against sexism and racism.
Calls,
On all South Africans to ensure that the agenda of women emancipation is given the consistent attention and prominence it deserves so that we can move with due speed towards a non-sexist society.
