Johannesburg - A greater social awareness is required to eradicate gender stereotypes in South Africa, outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Wednesday night.
She said stereotypes were resulting in women being ostracised from economic opportunities as they were seen as incapable.
“In the past women were seen as not good enough to become lawyers, to occupy positions of leadership and influence. All they were good for was to raise children and do household chores,” Madonsela told congregants at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg, during her address on gender equality. The event was held under the theme “Truth Be Told”.
“If we are going to degrade women, we are degrading ourselves as society. If we let other women be degraded, it’s our loss because degradation creates resentment. A society that harms women harms life at source.”
A radical social engineering is required to change perceptions about women. Madonsela said men should take a leading role in creating communities that protect women and begin to appreciate women as equals.
She commended the country's judicial system for taking a strong stance against the raping of women and girls.
“Rape is rape regardless of what the woman was wearing. I am glad our courts are also starting to see it this way, “she said, to much applause from the congregation.
Madonsela said as a Christian herself, she believed in the power of love.
“If the power of love drove us, then we wouldn’t worry about equality between men and women.”
Echoing Madonsela's words was Rhema Bible Church senior pastor Ray McCauley, who said the church was correctly placed to lead the fight against the oppression and abuse of women and girls.
“Now it is the right time to take our position to protect our women. We have to speak truth about our truth even though it makes us uncomfortable.”