Attacks on Duarte reveal misogyny in ANC
THE vitriolic attacks and threats directed at ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte are shameful, and it is doubly dangerous to perpetuate oppressive gender relations in society.
Apart from sexist attitudes, intimidation which borders on gender-based violence has found refuge inside the movement.
How long should women endure such preposterous abuse?
It pains many of us that toxic masculinity is still alive in the way that perpetrators brazenly trample upon the human rights of women without reconciling themselves with the consequences.
It’s hard to believe that male chauvinism remains a weapon of some in the movement to exert pressure on women. This is despite the ANC being regarded as the leader of society.
All of this is indicative of the everyday struggles of women across the spectrum, wherein intransigent men hide behind social stereotypes of entitlement to impose their will and hold women to ransom.
And the conspiracy of silence characterises our complicity in the perpetuation of patriarchal relations to engender complacency in society.
Equally, the leadership is to be blamed for allowing foreign tendencies to be consolidated in the movement. For incorrigible elements are given carte blanche to conceal information by insistence on secretiveness. This is why dissidents contend that the public was robbed blind through secrecy contrived in connivance with business vultures for the benefit of a privileged group.
To end the discord, there has to be consensus on the principle that the political climate demands transparency for everyone to make informed decisions.