SA’S NEW SHEDECIDES CHAMPION TALKS INFORMED CHOICES, NOT COERCION AT CSW69

By Precious Mupenzi

• Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe is sharing how South Africa is committed to gender equality and the protection of women’s and girls’ rights at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
• As South Africa’s SheDecides champion, Tolashe also engaged with fellow champions, exchanging ideas on global strategies to uphold women’s rights and protect the girl child.
• South Africa is part of the global movement that recognises the rights of women and girls in all their diversity as fundamental human rights, as enshrined in the Constitution.

As South Africa’s newly appointed SheDecides champion, Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe is part of a high-level South African delegation at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

The delegation is being led by the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and includes the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr Mimmy Martha Gondwe, and the Director General of the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Advocate Mikateko Joyce Maluleke. 

During her participation in key sessions, Minister Tolashe reinforced South Africa’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and the protection of women’s and girls’ rights.

A global stand against child marriage

At a UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) session on ending child marriage, Minister Tolashe listened to harrowing testimonies from young survivors from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and other countries.

These survivors shared traumatic experiences of being buried alive by their communities due to teenage pregnancy and forced child marriages.

A facilitator also shared her personal story, revealing that her mother had conceived her at just 13 years old and gave birth a year later.

“This is a painful reminder of the deep-seated injustices that many young girls still endure,” Tolashe said.

“As leaders, we must take decisive action to end child marriage and ensure that every girl has the right to education, safety, and a future free from harm.”

The session underscored the urgent need for strong political commitment to the gender agenda, which prioritises the protection and promotion of human rights for women and girls worldwide.

Joining the SheDecides movement: a global stand for women’s rights

In a separate engagement, Minister Tolashe attended a meeting of the SheDecides Movement at the Colombian Mission, where she introduced herself as a newly appointed champion of the movement.

She highlighted the persistent gender-based violence crisis in South Africa, emphasising the dangers that women and girls face daily.

“It is unacceptable that in a democratic society, women and girls still live in fear. A proportion of men and boys continue to display violent behaviour towards women, and this must change,” she stated.

During the session, she engaged with fellow SheDecides champions, exchanging ideas on global strategies to uphold women’s rights and protect the girl child.

The meeting reinforced the shared commitment to ensuring bodily autonomy, access to reproductive health services, and the elimination of gender-based violence.

South Africa’s legislative and policy commitments

South Africa is part of the global movement that recognises the rights of women and girls in all their diversity as fundamental human rights.

As a signatory to international treaties promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, the country upholds these commitments through its Constitution.

Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights explicitly prohibits discrimination and ensures the protection of human rights for all.

To advance gender equality, South Africa has enacted various laws and policies that safeguard the rights of women and girls, including access to healthcare services such as safe abortions.

The Department of Social Development leads numerous programmes aimed at protecting and empowering women and children.

“The Department of Social Development works in collaboration with various government departments, including the Department of Health, South African Police Services, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Home Affairs. Together, we ensure that women and girls are informed about their legal rights, including the different types of marriages recognised in the country and access to healthcare,” said Minister Tolashe.

She emphasised the importance of ensuring that women and girls have the right to make choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

“We must promote awareness so that intimate relationships are based on informed choices and not coercion. This includes preventing criminal charges of sexual assault and encouraging the reporting of sexual violence.” 

As the 69th Commission on the Status of Women continues, Minister Tolashe remains committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that drive meaningful change for women and girls in South Africa and beyond.