on the importance of sharing of responsibilities between men and women, to mark
Valentine's Day
12 February 2009
As Minister in The Presidency responsible for gender issues, I congratulate
everyone on this Valentine's Day, 14 February. We need to celebrate this very
special day by pondering on some very critical issues which enhance loving
relationships in any society.
The recently adopted 50/50 campaign on women representation in political and
decision making positions, as reflected in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development, encourages gender parity
and sharing of responsibilities between men and women. This is also the theme
for the forthcoming United Nation (UN) meeting of the Commission on the Status
of Women (CSW) which takes place in New York in March 2009.
To open the debate on sharing of responsibilities, there needs to be equal
consideration for care of the family. In this regard I want to note the issue
of maternity and paternity leave, which is the time for caring for the pregnant
women and for the newborn baby, as well as for bonding. According to the law,
men only have three days paternity leave and I personally feel that it is not
enough to educate and train them in the family.
In this context, it would be ideal for places where delivery of newborn
babies takes place to formally allow fathers to be present during labour and
delivery of their babies. This would afford support for the labouring mother,
and would enhance early bonding with the baby, as well as afford the father to
be trained on the care of the baby.
So, as we celebrate this year's Valentine's Day, let us all share tasks in
the family equally and be good examples to our children.
I wish you all a happy Valentine's Day â one full of sharing and loving.
Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang,
Minister in the Presidency
Issued by: The Presidency
12 February 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
