Parliament to hold Women's Parliament during Women's Month, 3 - 4
Aug

3 August 2006

The 2006 Women’s Parliament will take place in Cape Town from 3 to 4 August
2006 against the backdrop of the 50th Celebration of the Women’s March against
repressive Pass Laws and the ten years celebration of the Constitution, which
started in May this year.

The Old Assembly Chamber in Parliament, a noble legislative platform once
misused to pass oppressive Apartheid Laws will now echo the theme of this
year’s Women’s Parliament: Protecting the rights of women and the girl child:
Combating the trafficking of women and girl children.

The core objectives of this year’s Women’s Parliament is:

* Understanding Human Trafficking especially of Women and Children
* Women, Children and the Law
* Women, Children and the Media
* Issues of projection as well as mobilisation and awareness raising
* Prevention, Protection and Prosecution: Practical suggestions

These core objectives emanate from the lifelong struggle by women against
oppression especially the vile deeds committed by the Apartheid regime, which
resulted in untold suffering of women and girl children.

It is with the same spirit that reverberates in women participating in this
year’s Women’s Parliament that on 9 August 1956, women from all over South
Africa, united in their diversity marched towards the Union Buildings
(Pretoria) in protest against oppressive Pass Laws.

The historical effects of these Pass laws are still reflected by the
emotional, psychological and physical scars that many South Africans bear - not
for committing a punishable crime but for the lack of a Pass.

This year’s Women’s Parliament recommits Women to their pledge in 1956 that,
“…(African women) shall not rest until we have won for our children their
fundamental rights of freedom, justice and security.”

The heroic actions of these women on 9 August 1956 have cast this historic
month (August) into a permanent opportunity to reflect on our country’s
progress in addressing challenges faced by women and girl children.

The event is expected to be graced by the speeches of Ms Baleka Mbete,
Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr P Solomons, a Human Trafficking Specialist
and Legal Expert from Molo Songololo, and Ms S Ndashe from the Law
Commission.

Up to 250 participants comprising of representatives from civil society,
Commissions and Members of Parliament will contribute in the discussions of
this year’s Women’s Parliament and ensure that the vision of freedom, justice
and security of those courageous women who marched to the Union Buildings in
1956 is brought into fruition.

Wathint’a abafazi wathint’ imbokodo

Issued by: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
3 August 2006