As part of the South African woman’s month activities and reflecting on human rights issues and cultural practices that are in the minds of South African Communities , the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (herein “CRL Rights Commission”) and the broader South African cultural, religious, and women communities will be engaging in an open dialogue regarding the ruling party ‘s recent document on policy proposals to outlaw certain cultural practices such as “Ukuthwala”, (arranged marriage/forced marriage) “Ukuhlolwa” ( virgnity testing), “Isithembu/Lefufa”, (polygamy) “Ukungenwa” (inheriting a wife) and corporal punishment.
As part of the CRL Rights Commission’s constitutional mandate and in the spirit of participatory democracy, the Commission is empowered by its legislation of 2002, to educate, lobby, advise and report on any issue concerning the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities and assist in the development of strategies that facilitates the full and active participation of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic communities in nation building in South Africa.
The envisaged national dialogue will be addressed by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize and other important guests.
On the other hand the CRL Rights Commission’s experts, commissioners, and communities will be sharing their experiences, opinions, and knowledge and belief systems on various cultural practices.
As a result of all these national debates, the CRL Rights Commission and all its stakeholders hereby invite members of the media to this national dialogue on cultural practices and human rights perspectives during the South African woman’s month.
The details of the national dialogue on cultural practices and human rights perspectives are as follows:
Date: Friday, 24 August 2012
Time: 9h00 - 13h00
Venue: Balalaika Hotel, Sandton, Gauteng Province
Members of the media will be afforded the time and opportunity to engage with the keynote speaker immediately after the address and other prominent cultural experts and activists during the dialogue.
To confirm your attendance, kindly RSVP by Thursday, 23 August 2012 to Advocate Sipho Mantula on the details below.
For pre, during and post media interviews contact:
Advocate Sipho Mantula
Communications and Marketing Officer
Cell: 084 7815587 or 083 233 1538
Tel: 011 537 7600
Ext: 7628
Email: sipho@crlcommission.org.za
