Premier, Speaker and Members.

1.The Minority Front welcomes this report on the quality of life of women by HON. Tambo, as well as on the initiatives of the CWP by the woman caucus on the UN theme : “Time is now: Rural and Urban activists transforming Women’s lives”. The scourge of violence, as per the MF motion this morning means that the widespread general violence a must also focus on political violence against women candidates as more women in parliament means our voice in important to rid us of GBV political parties must have a gender representation policy for 2019.

2.I take this opportunity to thank the women in our legislature whose presence has made a huge difference in the gender equality movement inside and outside this Hon. House. The impact is seen in the enthusiasm of women and women’s organizations, in civil society, developing annually into more empowered and influential women.

3.The #metoo movement has broken the silence on sexual harassment of women in the workplace and the Minority front supports all affected women.

4.The MF calls for more legislation and regulations to empower and protect women entering politics and running for office, Hon. members, let’s all support the #askher to run campaign started in Canada, our Commonwealth counterpart.

5.Hon. Premier and MEC’s much more has to be done to eradicate the culture of violence against women, as these impacts on women not being productive in the workplace, hence our economy suffers.

6.As we enter 2019, let us come back as a gender-equal and equitable legislature to become a truly gender-responsive parliament to accomplish SDG 5 of gender equality by 2030.

7.Thank you, Hon. Chair Mrs Tambo for this report in a period of gender activism in terms of the eradication of GBV.

 

HON.S. Thakur- Rajbansi