LOSI SHOULD PRIORITISE GENDER EQUALITY

WHILE I agree that Zingiswa Losi’s election as the first female Cosatu president is the first step in combating patriarchy in working-class organisations, changing gender and leaving the federation with the neo-liberal system intact means nothing.

The new president must make sure Cosatu gets rid of the triple oppression of black women – race, class and gender. Losi must make sure that black women stop being seen as European settlers’ projects.

She must advance the struggle of black women who are exploited in factories and as domestic workers who are paid less by other women, madams whose children they rear.

It is time for Losi and Cosatu to combat the patriarchy that shaped the capitalist society exploited the working class. She should also ensure salaries for men and women in the same jobs are made equal.

Women must not suffer because they work and have the responsibility of raising children. In fact, women are supposed to be paid double their salaries or wages for working in factories while rearing children.

There is nothing in nature that says raising children is a woman’s role. Our society has changed; we are no longer living in communal societies, hence men should also take responsibility.

Combating patriarchy is essential to end exploitative and corrupt neo-liberal capitalism. MHLOBO GUNGULUZI Gugulethu, Cape Town