Pretoria: Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, has called for renewed global commitment to peace and decisive action to enforce existing protections for women. Speaking at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) debate in commemoration of International Women's Day, Mhlauli warned that without stability and political will, gender equality will remain out of reach.
According to South African Government News Agency, Mhlauli emphasized the critical need for peace as a foundation for women's safety and participation in society. "We must be unequivocal in our call for peace. Peace is not an abstract diplomatic ideal. It is the foundation upon which women are able to live safely, to participate economically, to raise families without fear, and to contribute meaningfully to society," Mhlauli stated. She highlighted that without peace, justice and empowerment for women remain elusive.
The debate was held under the theme: 'Recentering Social Justice and Human Rights for Women and Girls'. Mhlauli acknowledged the existing global policy and legal frameworks aimed at advancing gender equality but pointed out their diminished impact due to inconsistent enforcement and lack of political commitment. She cited frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action, the AU Agenda 2063, and the South African Constitution, stressing that the challenge lies in the political will to enforce and fund these laws.
Mhlauli underscored that real progress is measured by the everyday experiences of women and girls rather than policy declarations. She emphasized that the true test is whether women can safely walk home, access justice, learn without fear, and have equal economic opportunities without obstruction.
As the global community commemorates Beijing+30, marking three decades since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, Mhlauli called for honest reflection on the progress made. She acknowledged significant global achievements, such as reductions in maternal mortality, improved girls' school enrollment, and increased women's representation in legislatures. However, she cautioned that these gains are fragile and uneven, with some areas experiencing regression.
Mhlauli highlighted the severe impact of conflicts on women and girls in regions like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Palestine, and parts of the Middle East. She described how conflict displaces women, denies them education and healthcare, and subjects them to violence. She stressed that conflict erodes the social fabric that protects women, turning their bodies into battlegrounds and their rights into collateral damage.
South Africa, Mhlauli stated, supports peaceful conflict resolution, dialogue over destruction, and the protection of civilians, especially women and children. She affirmed that women's empowerment must extend to all spheres of life, including political, social, and economic domains, and emphasized the importance of women's inclusion in peacebuilding and governance processes for sustainable peace.