The social bias that has prevented women from reaching their full potential through the centuries is still in place today.
Marié du Toit, better known as the sister of the famous poet Totius, said the following about the matter nearly a hundred years ago: "All originality and diversity are lost in a deadly menial groove. Who knows what talented women Africa could have had, had it not been for the paralysing, disparaging idea of what a girl or a woman is supposed to be.”
The FF Plus supports women's rights, but knows that in practice these rights can only be realised through the empowerment and training of women and the creation of equal opportunities.
The problem in the South African context is clear as the relevant Department, which is still being allocated the smallest budget of all the departments, is spending 57% of its budget on salaries. The budget is insufficient.
That leaves only 43% of the budget for the programmes for women, the youth and disabled. Thus, the Department will have to be very frugal when it comes to spending its budget.
The FF Plus is particularly worried about the Department's programme that focuses on sanitary dignity and aims to meet the basic sanitary needs of female learners. It was launched in KwaZulu Natal alongside two other similar projects. As is evident in the Free State, there is some confusion regarding the programme and it does not have a clear outcome or objective.
South Africa needs purposeful activism against violence against women and children. Most of the victims of rape, molestation and domestic violence are too afraid to report these incidents to the police due to intimidation.
In many cases, the police's handling of such cases is lacking and victims are not protected as they ought to be. These shortcomings in the system cause a low report rate for these offences and, thus, many sexual offenders are at liberty and gender violence is endemic.
The FF Plus supports measures that are aimed at protecting women and children and our vulnerable citizens against abuse and mistreatment.
People with disabilities must be empowered through relevant training and their rights must be protected.
Blind and deaf people's access to education and communication with state institutions, through braille and sign language, must be made a priority.
The FF Plus will strive to help the women of South Africa join forces to fight for equal opportunities and equal rights for all.
Contact numbers: 082 490 6663
