Address by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe during the National Women’s Conference, Boksburg, Gauteng, 03 August 2011

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe addressing the National Women's Conference, Boksburg, Gauteng, 3 August 2011:

"Changing patriarchal attitudes and practices goes to the centre of democracy and the spirit of the South African Constitution. 

The opportunity is that there is recognition that patriarchy and economic exclusion are the root of discrimination against women and a lot of attempts are being made through policies and legislation at government level, and research and training at civil society level, to change these attitudes.

Policy and legislation are critical in changing practices based on patriarchal attitudes and behaviour but it is difficult to legislate the attitudes away.  For this purpose, there needs to be work that is focusing on attitudinal change.

The global strategy to transform gender relations should also include continuous education and the creation of spaces to debate issues relating to patriarchy, women’s empowerment and gender equality."

http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=4583