VERONICA MENTE: There is no liberation without dismantling deep-seated gender inequalities

Across our country, the value of a woman is still linked to patriarchal notions of "purity," where her worth is often measured by whether or not she has engaged in sexual activity.

This view reduces women to mere objects, valued only when they fit narrow, oppressive standards set by others. From virginity testing to the belief that only women bear the responsibility of pregnancy, these practices echo a culture that sees women’s lives and bodies as extensions of male control, rather than as sovereign and equal.

A particularly harrowing example is the brutal practice of ukuthwala - the abduction and forced marriage of young girls. This tradition, under the guise of preserving "family honour" and "cultural values," robs young girls of their childhoods, their autonomy, and often, their lives. A girl as young as 12 can be violently pulled into a system that forces her into a life of subjugation. This is a practice rooted in a refusal to see girls and women as full human beings deserving of respect and choice. The fact that this happens in our time, with tacit societal acceptance, is a profound failure that should haunt us all.]

Similarly, practices like ukungena, where a widow is expected to marry her deceased husband’s brother, persist in some communities. These customs not only strip women of choice but deny them the dignity of mourning and deciding their future on their own terms. These injustices are clear indicators of a deeply ingrained patriarchy that continues to suffocate the rights and humanity of women across South Africa.

South Africa remains one of the most dangerous places for women, with staggering rates of gender-based violence (GBV). Every day, women face physical, emotional, and sexual violence, often at the hands of those they know. The insidious phenomenon of “corrective rape” further reflects the hatred and violence faced by LGBTQ+ communities, who are brutalised simply for existing.
This is not just a series of crimes; it is a society-wide epidemic of hatred, perpetuated by the normalisation of violence against women and nonconforming individuals.

Violence does not only come in the form of physical assault. The systematic exclusion of women from economic opportunities, as seen when Banyana Banyana for many years has been paid less than their male counterparts, is also a form of violence.

This economic exclusion denies women their rightful place in the economic sphere, reinforcing gender-based subordination. When capable women are sidelined in leadership, when they are paid less, or forced to endure unsafe working conditions, they are victims of a society that devalues their contributions simply because they are women.

GBV is another shadow under which countless women in South Africa live, a silent terror that takes place within homes - spaces that should be sanctuaries. The insidious nature of GBV is such that it often leaves scars that are unseen but deeply felt, from emotional and psychological abuse to physical and sexual violence. Many are trapped in toxic, life-threatening relationships due to economic dependence or societal pressure.

Education is a human right, and yet many young girls in South Africa are denied access to safe, uninterrupted schooling. In addition to the daily threat of sexual violence, at home or otherwise, is the lack of access to sanitary products. Girls are then forced to miss school during their menstrual cycles, falling behind academically through no fault of their own.

This state-sanctioned neglect of young women’s needs is a direct barrier to their empowerment and future potential.

The indignity of using newspapers as a substitute for sanitary products is not just an educational issue - it’s a violation of human rights. A society that fails to provide for the basic dignity of its young girls is one that will continue to face cycles of poverty and disempowerment.

While our Constitution and laws promise equality, the reality on the ground reveals a vast disconnect. Provisions like the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA) exist on paper but lack enforcement, with cultural practices that demean and undermine women continuing unabated, and systemic inequalities persisting. This legislative failure reveals a government intent on upholding an unjust status quo, rather than pushing for true gender equality and justice.

Historically, caregiving has been relegated to women, unpaid and unacknowledged. Women labour to raise the next generation without support, often abandoned by fathers who evade their responsibilities with impunity. This parental injustice forces women into the dual roles of breadwinner and caregiver, without state support or recognition. This neglect is compounded by a government that fails to address the inequality embedded in unpaid caregiving roles.

To be a woman in South Africa, then, is often to bear the double burden of raising children and providing for them, alone. This injustice is not an isolated social issue; it’s an economic issue, a human rights issue, and a moral issue that demands redress.

Access to sexual and reproductive health is a right denied to many young women and girls in South Africa. Contraceptives are often out of stock at clinics, and the stigma attached to reproductive health only intensifies their vulnerability.

For too many, the promise of reproductive choice remains an illusion. Limited access to safe abortion facilities forces young women into unsafe practices, and the reliance on contraceptives that are health hazards like Depo-Provera further endangers their lives. South Africa cannot call itself a just society while young women are denied control over their bodies and futures.

There is an urgent need to dismantle these patriarchal structures. We must put an end to discriminatory cultural practices, enforce meaningful protections against GBV, and ensure that young girls are safe and supported in their education.
We need a government that takes responsibility for caring for all children, and we demand that women’s labour, both in the workplace and in the home, be recognised and compensated.

Our fight is not just for the women of today, but for the generations of women to come.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) upcoming Third National Assembly discussion documents delve into these struggles of women and gender minorities, recognising that liberation cannot be achieved without dismantling deep-seated gender inequalities that pervade our society, exposing the violent cultural, economic, and political structures that continue to oppress and dehumanise women.