Women's emancipation is the goal!

The important international campaign - 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Children - will conclude on 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the day after the publication of this edition of ANC TODAY. The choice of 10 December helps correctly to emphasise the fundamental proposition that women's rights are human rights!

We take this opportunity to salute all our compatriots who participated in this campaign. All of us need to acknowledge the fact that like elsewhere in the world, many women and children in our country continue to fall victim to various kinds of criminal violence. This underlines the fact that we still have a long way to go before we can say that we have achieved the goal of the genuine emancipation of women.

When we spoke in Port Elizabeth last year at the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism, we said that the struggle to end violence against women and children should engage us for the 365 days of every year, and not just the 16 days set aside to focus on this important challenge.

In other words, this activism should be integrated in all our daily struggles as part of our effort to build a people-centred society, which respects and upholds the vision spelt out in our Bill of Rights and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Our movement correctly prides itself and strives constantly to discharge its responsibility as the leading political force in our country dedicated to the genuine and all-round emancipation of all our people, regardless of race, colour, gender and age.

It must therefore also take the lead in the struggle for the emancipation of women, which includes the eradication of gender violence. It must remain loyal to the strategic vision it has absorbed for many decades, which defines the emancipation of women as an integral part of the struggle for national liberation and the national democratic revolution.

When he proclaimed 1984 the Year of the Women in the January 8th Statement of that year, the late Oliver Tambo said:

"It will be our special task this year to organise and mobilise our womenfolk into a powerful, united and active force for revolutionary change. This task falls on men and women alike - all of us together as comrades in the struggle. We wish to stress the need, at the present hour, for the emergence on the political scene of a women's movement that is politically and organisationally united. Our struggle needs and demands this potentially mighty force.

"Our struggle will be less than powerful and our national and social emancipation can never be complete if we continue to treat the women of our country as dependent minors and objects of one form of exploitation or another. Certainly no longer should it be that a woman's place is in the kitchen. In our beleaguered country, the woman's place is in the battlefront of struggle...

"I declare 1984 'The Year of the Women', and charge the entire democratic and patriotic forces of our country with the task of joining in the effort to mobilise our women to unite in struggle for people's power!"

The central point made in this message was that "our national and social emancipation can never be complete if we continue to treat the women of our country as dependent minors and objects of one form of exploitation or another". Neither can our national and social emancipation be complete if we do not succeed to free our society of the scourge of violence against women and children.

For well over a century, the international progressive movement has recognised the fact emphasised by Oliver Tambo, that national and social emancipation must of necessity entail the liberation of women. Our movement therefore has an obligation to ensure that its programmes of action demonstrate in practice that we understand and respect this fundamental proposition, including the imperative to fight against violence against women and children.

Earlier this year, as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, we paid tribute to an outstanding South African woman, Olive Schreiner, who was born 150 years ago, and called on our nation to honour her in a fitting manner. In this context, we must also mention another eminent South African woman, Charlotte Maxeke, who passed away 66 years ago, in 1939.

I mention these two historic figures in the struggle for our national and social emancipation because their activities and their views must continue to educate and inspire us properly to understand the place of the challenge of the liberation of women in everything we do as we strive to advance the goal of social transformation, the defining feature of the current phase of the national democratic revolution.

We have referred to the historical position of the international progressive movement with regard to the challenge of women's liberation. In this context, we would like to cite comments made by a leading woman member of the progressive European working class movement, Rosa Luxemburg, who was active during the latter part of the 19th and the early part of the 20th centuries. Speaking at the 12 May 1912 Second Social Democratic Women's Rally, in Stuttgart, Germany, on Women's Suffrage and Class Struggle, she said:

"Women's suffrage is the goal. But the mass movement to bring it about is not a job for women alone, but is a common class concern for women and men of the proletariat. Germany's present lack of rights for women is only one link in the chain of the reaction that shackles the people's lives. And it is closely connected with the other pillar of the reaction: the monarchy.

"In advanced capitalist, highly industrialised, twentieth-century Germany, in the age of electricity and airplanes, the absence of women's political rights is as much a reactionary remnant of the dead past as the reign by Divine Right on the throne. Both phenomena - the instrument of heaven as the leading political power, and woman, demure by the fireside, unconcerned with the storms of public life, with politics and class struggle - both phenomena have their roots in the rotten circumstances of the past, in the times of serfdom in the country and guilds in the towns...

"A hundred years ago, the Frenchman Charles Fourier, one of the first great prophets of socialist ideals, wrote these memorable words: In any society, the degree of female emancipation is the natural measure of the general emancipation. This is completely true for our present society. The current mass struggle for women's political rights is only an expression and a part of the proletariat's general struggle for liberation. In this lies its strength and its future. Because of the female proletariat, general, equal, direct suffrage for women would immensely advance and intensify the proletarian class struggle."

Echoing these sentiments during the period she lived in Great Britain, and after the struggle for women's suffrage had largely emerged victorious, in a July 1918 speech in honour of John Stuart Mill, Olive Shreiner said:

"We are meeting today to commemorate a man whom I believe to be the noblest of those whom the English-speaking race has produced in the last hundred years. John Stuart Mill laboured for the freedom of women. But he did more. He laboured for human freedom. Women can best show their gratitude to him by studying his writings.

"Many women have now the vote, and are part of the governing power of their nation - all will have it soon. If we wish to use our power to its noblest end, we shall have to learn the lesson Mill taught - that the freedom of all human creatures are essential to the full development of human life on earth. We shall have to labour, not merely for a larger freedom for ourselves, but for every subject race and class, and for all suppressed individuals."

Understanding fully the central importance of the struggle for the emancipation of women, Olive Shreiner also published a treatise entitled "Woman and Labour". Paying tribute to women who had engaged in struggle for liberation, understanding that much still remained to be achieved, she wrote: "One word more I should like to add, as I may not again speak or write on this subject. I should like to say to the men and women of the generations which will come after us - 'You will look back at us with astonishment! You will wonder at passionate struggles that accomplished so little; at the, to you, obvious paths to attain our ends which we did not take; at the intolerable evils before which it will seem to you we sat down passive; at the great truths staring us in the face, which we failed to see; at the truths we grasped at, but could never quite get our fingers round. You will marvel at the labour that ended in so little - but, what you will never know is how it was thinking of you and for you, that we struggled as we did and accomplished the little which we have done; that it was in the thought of your larger realisation and fuller life, that we found consolation for the futilities of our own.' What I aspired to be, and was not, comforts me."

Olive Schreiner spoke of women such as Charlotte Maxeke, one of the founders of the ANC Women's League, to whom many have paid all necessary tribute. Speaking at the 1901 Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, in a statement pregnant with meaning, Charlotte Maxeke said, "I left (to study in the United States) a Basuto girl, and returned an African girl for the whole of Africa."

Of her, Professor DDT Jabavu said: "Throughout all her life she has been engaged in efforts of a patriotic character on behalf of the aboriginal races of Africa, these efforts entailing herculean tasks every time. Her social line has been the redemption of our womanhood as well as humanity in general. The League of Bantu Women which she was responsible for starting, was a wonderful movement that stirred the imagination of our people and unmistakably infused a widened public spirit among our women-folk throughout South Africa with results still traceable right to the present time."

Many years later, Professor ZK Matthews said: "She was an eloquent speaker and a fearless denouncer of the disabilities under which her people laboured. Soon she came to be recognised as an authority, especially in matters affecting women and juveniles...She was also active in the political organisations of the African people. She encouraged women to enter into the political arena and in the now outlawed ANC. She was one of those who advocated the establishment of the Women's Section of the ANC commonly known as the Women's League. For many years she was its President. Charlotte Maxeke was a stout lady with a striking face, with sharp penetrating eyes which could strike terror into those who crossed words with her and yet be gentle and kind to those who needed her sympathy."

The outstanding African American scholar and revolutionary, WEB du Bois said: "I have known Charlotte Manye Maxeke since 1894, when I went to Wilberforce University as a teacher. She was one of the three or four students from South Africa, and was the only woman. She was especially the friend of Nina Gomer, the student who afterwards became my wife...I regard Mrs Maxeke as a pioneer in one of the greatest of human causes, working in extraordinarily difficult circumstances to lead a people, in the face of prejudice, not only against her race but against her sex...I think that what Mrs Maxeke has accomplished should encourage all men, especially those of African descent."

Today, we can address a similar tribute to Rosa Parks, the humble working class African American woman who died earlier this year, having dared, 50 years ago in 1955, to launch what became a massive and historic defiance campaign and civil rights struggle against racism in the United States.

As we end this year's 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Children, we must recall the example set for all progressive forces and peoples by such outstanding women fighters for liberation as Rosa Luxemburg, Olive Schreiner, Charlotte Maxeke and Rosa Parks. We must remember Olive Sheriner's words when she said, addressing all future generations - "it was thinking of you and for you, that we struggled as we did and accomplished the little which we have done".

Surely, when Charlotte Maxeke said more than a century ago - "I left (to study in the United States) a Basuto girl, and returned an African girl for the whole of Africa" - she did not intend that this African girl for the whole of Africa should come back to a country and continent that continued to perpetrate violence against women and children!

16 Days of Activism

South Africans show determination to end abuse

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, which draws to a close this weekend, has brought South Africans together in a unprecedented demonstration of commitment to eradicate this scourge from our society.

In a range of activities and forums across the country, South Africans have spoken out against the abuse of women and children, reviewed progress made, and analysed the challenges we still face in tackling this problem. Importantly, the campaign has raised awareness around violence against women and children, and has contributed to a culture of greater openness about the incidence of such violence.

To mark the end of the campaign, we publish below extracts from statements made at public activities during the 16 days of activism.

First line of defence

Speaking at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign in Katlehong, ANC National Executive Committee member and South Africa's Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said:

"The Bill of Rights affirms women's rights, it says 'Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law'

. It further states that 'everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected, to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources; not to be tortured in any way'.

"But the real beginning for respect of women and children and indeed humanity starts at home with partners, parents, relatives and friends who cannot and should not be abusers and perpetrators. The safety of our citizens and the respect of human dignity are enshrined in our Bill of Rights. Our government has therefore put in place mechanisms to enable the realisation of these rights, but the responsibility of ensuring the safety of women and children in our homes and our bedrooms, in our playing fields and schools, indeed everywhere, is our joint responsibility as citizens.

"The laws of the country must be there as a second line defence. The first line has to be a safe home and a safe family. Relatives and families must all be guardians and protectors. The democratic government since its inception in 1994 has consistently upheld basic laws and tried to promote the rights of especially those perceived to be the most vulnerable and weak in society, notably women and children.

"You can judge the nation's development by how it treats its most vulnerable. We believe most men in our society are not abusers, but men who are silent and inactive when they see abuse become enablers of abuse. Parents and relatives who witness abuse and take no action are also guilty of allowing this crime to be perpetrated.

"As we meet today as united people we must send the strongest message possible that people who abuse, rape and torture women and children cannot be tolerated or accepted in our midst. Such people have no place in our society. They belong in prison and we will do everything in our power to ensure that they face the full force of the law and are put away where they cannot hurt innocent people, little girls, little boys, women, old people, even men.

"We also know government alone cannot succeed. Because most abuse takes place in the home, families and communities should help expose offenders. As we sit in our homes today when we hear this message let us make today the day we stand up and report abuse in our homes. Tell somebody today. If you do not, you are slowly killing those who are facing abuse."

A societal responsibility

Speaking at a National Prayer Service held at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on 24 November ANC Member of Parliament and Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour said:

"As South Africans, we have set ourselves a noble goal of building a caring society that truly belongs to all, especially the most vulnerable sectors of our society like women and children. The success of our society cannot be judged on how it treats is highest and most powerful citizens, but on how friendly and fitting it is for the most weak and vulnerable within our midst. Through our internationally celebrated Constitution, we made a commitment to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa where all enjoy a great quality of life.

"We have reached a national consensus on these goals and values, we have overhauled our legislative framework to prioritise domestic violence and create an enabling environment for people to come forward with these incidents for effective intervention of state agencies established to address these challenges. These include the South African Police Service, which are doing a great job in prioritising and investigating these incidents, our justice system that has created over 40 Sexual Offences Courts across the country and Correctional Services that has designed programmes aimed at rehabilitating the increasing number of sexual offenders over the past 10 years.

"Lives of millions of our people are indeed progressively improving as we strive to eliminate poverty, underdevelopment and to build a just, peaceful and secure society. One of the greatest threats to these efforts is the continued violence and abuse of the weak and vulnerable sectors of our society. The long-term ramifications of these abuses that continue to bedevil our country, hit the essence of creating a better future where all will enjoy safety, peace and justice as a prerequisite for sustainable development of any society.

"Extensive research work done in this area, clearly shows that violence and abuse perpetrated against women and children today will result in an overwhelming number of those children meting out the same level of abuse to other people in future, with various negative consequences including the incarceration of over 50% of them for a variety of serious crimes. Over the past 10 years, we have had a continuous increase in reported cases that were investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS), prosecuted and convicted by Justice and subsequently incarcerated by Correctional Services.

"There is no doubt any more that government alone can solve the social ills that emanate from individual families, communities and organisations. Many of these incidents we seek to reduce are perpetrated in family or community circumstances mostly by people known to the victims. As government, we wish to reassure everyone experiencing these atrocities that if you stand up to report sexual, physical and emotional abuses, the state has the capacity and the will to investigate, prosecute, convict and rehabilitate anyone involved. We have committed as government to leave no stone unturned in any sexual abuse case, and the rate of successes in getting convictions should be sufficient encouragement to all to come forward and report.

"Individually and collectively, we hold the key to the elimination of this scourge. We strongly believe that crime prevention, character and generation building, and correcting of the offending behaviour is a societal responsibility. The societal responsibility starts in the primary unit of a society, the family, where parents, communities, churches, government departments, businesses and others should focus, to rebuild this critical base of a society.

"As witnessed in the recent past, the scourge of women and child abuse knows no boundaries of race, age, gender, socio economic status or spirituality, as more and more people are coming forward to report even incidents that took place over 30 years ago. We do need to celebrate the improvements in the reporting rate of these incidents as more and more people become aware and gain confidence in the legislative and institutional framework created during the first decade of freedom to address the problems.

"However, the ultimate picture of the extent of the problem has yet to be known, because of a number of social factors such as poverty, high levels of illiteracy, ignorance, strong patriarchal family relations as well as conservative cultural and religious beliefs.

"We are encouraged by the levels of commitment demonstrated by various faiths in South Africa that have stood up to be counted among those rejecting all forms of abuse. Churches were at the forefront in the struggle for the liberation of South Africa, and we know they will not flinch in taking the lead to fight against abuse. We have also observed progress made by many churches in affirming women. I trust and believe that any vestiges of conservative religious beliefs and practices that perpetuate the abuses will be scrutinised and changed for the benefit of our nation.

"As a nation, South Africa has made a commitment to strive to meet millennium development goals of halving poverty, ensuring universal primary education, eliminating gender disparities, reducing child mortality rates and halting the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015. These goals are dependent on our success rate in dealing with the scourge of women and child abuse, as much as they will be critical in enhancing efforts to eliminate the scourge.

"We have witnessed over the years a commendable unity among various sectors of the society, with millions more South Africans heeding the call and putting their shoulders behind efforts to build a national movement against women and child abuse. We urge everyone at home, at school, at work and in the community to commit to this noble cause and wear a white ribbon to demonstrate his or her rejection of women and child abuse. As President Thabo Mbeki last year implored all of us, let us make every minute, every hour and every day of the year, a day for acting against abuse of women and children."

We need to do far more

Speaking at Foreign Affairs' departmental launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign on 29 November, ANC Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sue van der Merwe said:

"This is no longer a country where people are at war with themselves, where apartheid divided people and used force, violence, to keep people apart, where men were deemed superior to women and whites were deemed superior to blacks. Above all, this is an age of democracy and the South African people have a new confidence of a bright and prosperous future. The new government in 1994 set about reconstructing the new country, putting new legislation in place, new policy frameworks and built houses, schools and clinics for South Africa's people. The last decade has seen fundamental changes in people's lives.

"From here, we can think about how far we have come as South Africans in the last 11 years. We can also look towards the rest of the African continent and note the visible progress made on the rest of the continent in resolving conflicts, attaining peace and strengthening democracy. Then we will come to the realisation that much has been done to nurture a continent in which there is enduring peace, security and stability, a place where the vulnerable are protected, where women are free to be women and children are free to be children. We have come so far, yet we can go so much further.

"Through the democratic elections of 1994, we dismantled the apartheid state and its machinery. We put a stop to the sheer brutality inflicted by one person on another for political and economic gains. We outlawed racism and sexism and put the pillars in place for a truly people-centred development; characterised by partnerships across the spectrum of South African life. But again; we have come so far, yet we can and must go further.

"Public spaces have been democratised. But as long as tyranny exists within the household, as long as there is a dictatorship within the four walls of the home, our democracy will be incomplete. Violence against women and children takes place within the household, in dark corners or narrow alleys, in places for the most part that are not in full view of the public. It is this violence that we must stop. For women and children have the right to be free, to walk the streets, the right to live their lives without fear or favour and without being stopped in their tracks.

"The freedoms we have fought for and still work towards can only be fully realised if the violence against women and children comes to an end and if we all say together: never, never and never again shall we accept this situation. We need - each and every one of us - to reinforce these words with actions.

"In this African season of hope, we call to action all South Africans and our brothers and sisters on the rest of the African continent to join hands to eradicate violence against the vulnerable members of our society, particularly women and children, and to bring about peace in their lives.

"The key to attaining our goal of consolidating the African agenda is in bringing about human security, as well as freedom from physical harm. But as long as our people are rendered vulnerable by abuse, self-centred and destructive actions, the more distant the goal of achieving global peace and security. This is why I believe that as South African people acting together, we can do so much more than what we are doing now."

More Information:

• 16 Days of Activism website

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