Ramaphosa: Persistent inequalities undermine progress made in advancing women’s rights

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said despite progress made in advancing women’s rights in the country, persistent inequalities threaten to undermine this agenda.

Delivering a eulogy in honour of struggle veteran Gertrude Shope, Ramaphosa said she ensured gender equality was embedded in a democratic South Africa.

Shope died at the age of 99 last week.

She was the first African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) president following its relaunch in the 1990s.

Also an educator and trade unionist, Shope been largely celebrated for her efforts in advancing the women’s cause.

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Despite a constitution that places women’s rights on the country’s agenda, their advancement hasn’t been fully realised.

This was an admission made by President Cyril Ramaphosa as he marked the life and times of Shope.

Ramaphosa took time to reflect on the country’s status quo when it came to women.

“Women in our country are still likely to be poor than men, likely to be unemployed than men, women are the primary victims of intimate partner violence, abuse, rape as well as other forms of sexual violence, including murder.”

The president’s comments come as the country reels following news of the murder of yet another young woman who simply went on a date but never made it back home alive.

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