Xingwana: End violence against lesbians
2011-06-21 22:39
Cape Town - Urgent action is needed to stop the "scourge" of violence against lesbians, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana said on Tuesday.
Urgent action was needed to stop the violence and "corrective rape", she said during her department's budget vote at Parliament.
"Our country faces a serious crisis of violence against women and children... women, young and old, are falling victims to rape and murder. The right to sexual orientation as stipulated in our Constitution is also being violated through the so-called corrective rape of lesbian women."
This was also highlighted as the main problem facing South Africa at international gender forums, including the UN commission on the status of women and the committee on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
Xingwana said the establishment of a national council to end violence against women and children would enhance the country's efforts to stop gender-based violence.
"Our country has a strong legislative framework protecting the rights of women and children. As the department, we are going to monitor the implementation of all these laws, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Children's Act," she said.
- SAPA
