We celebrate this month and that march, not because of undue sentimentality or simply to keep alive the memory of struggle, but to rededicate ourselves to the cause of women. On that day on the 9th of August 1956, the women entered the struggle for liberation forcefully, not in support of men, but to lead the campaign against passes and apartheid, not protected from the harsh consequences of confronting the apartheid state, but fully prepared to make the sacrifices, and in doing all of this they ensured that when South Africa was to be free, women would also be free. They ensured that equality would be for women as well, that theirs would be part of the democratic voices, and that constitutional rights, legislative provisions, policy frameworks and implementation programmes would understand and cater for the needs of 51% of our population.
The combination of stubborn and resistant patterns of patriachy, traditions and religious customs, together with capacity constraints which slow down implementation of programmes that can translate the gains made by and for women mean that in the last 12 years we have not always been able to make life better, safer, more prosperous and healthier for women. It is in recognition of this that the Western Cape Government decided that the best way to celebrate this 50th Anniversary is to say to women: Siyabulela! Dankie!Thank You! But to say so in ways which will begin to put in place concrete programmes that will make life better, safer, more prosperous and healthier.
Minister Uys and the Health Department was asked to make their contribution to the health of women. They have chosen to focus their attention and resources from this month onwards until 70% of the women in this Province have been screened for Cervical Cancer. This cancer is one oof the most preventable of cancers, yet it continues to affect 1 out of 41 women. Every year in SA 5000 new cases are reported and 1500 women die from Cervical Cancer. This is unforgivable in a Province like the Western Cape with a world class health capability.
This points to a lack of advocacy and prioritisation from our side and a lack of awareness and care from the side of women. At the end of this campaign both these sets of weaknesses should be eliminated. Cervical Cancer can be prevented if detected and treated right at the beginning for a disease that develops over 10 years. But prevention through early deterction requires regular pap smears.
Today the Government is saying to women: If you are 30 years or older, start your programme of 1 pap smear per decade. Go to your clinic. Don't be put off by anything. if all women did this simple thing once every 10 years, then we'll reduce Cervical Cancer by 64,2%. This is the phenomenal result we'll achieve through this programme. The programme is free, you don't have to stay overnight. if the results show abnormal cells, they'll tell you to come for another pap smear in a year's time. Hopefully, by then, the abnormal cells would have disappeared, but if not they'll start treating it before it even has a chance to become cancerous. It's really as simple as this.
I would like to thank the Health Department for having the courage to roll out the biggest programme on Cervical Cancer in the Province.
Siyabulela!
Enquiries:Shado Twala
Spokesperson
Office of the Premier of the Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 5642
Fax: 021 483 5636
Email: stwala@pgwc.gov.za
www.capegateway.gov.za
Address: Provincial Parliament, Mezzanine Level, Office of the Premier, M7, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, 8001
