Salute women

THE Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (Cormsa) joined the world in celebrating International Women’s Day on Sunday. It highlighted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, signed by 189 governments 20 years ago.

It is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

Cormsa recognises the achievements and contributions made by refugee and migrant women in their host countries under the global theme of “Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It!”. We share the vision of a world where every woman and girl can exercise her rights, including access to education, health-care services, employment, shelter and living in societies free from gender discrimination and gender-based violence: a world where women can enjoy freedom of movement to seek safety from persecution and war, and to build a better life for their families.

In South Africa, March is regarded as Human Rights Month, reminding us of our constitutional commitment to equal rights for all, including refugee and migrant women. However, we are concerned that much still needs to be done to realise refugee and migrant women’s human rights in South Africa and globally. Cormsa acknowledges the effort made by the government towards ensuring the visibility of women in public life, but there is a strong need to enhance the decision-making role of refugee and migrant women.

Cormsa urges the Commission for Gender Equality and all civil society organisations, government departments, community organisations, private institutions and ordinary citizens to eliminate discrimination against women, and to enable refugee and migrant women to have their voices heard. Thifulufheli Sinthumule