16 April 2015
The Commission for Gender Equality says it respects cultural freedom and choice but once the abuse of cultural practises and symbols is done at the expense of women and girls then it is not acceptable.
This follows the case of
Mvumeleni Jezile who told the Western Cape High Court that the reason why he
raped and abducted a 14-year-old girl was in accordance with traditional
practise called Ukuthwala.
The Commission has also called
on South African men to distance themselves from this culture, which some
misuse in order to rob minors and girls of their fundamental human rights.
CGE Spokesperson Javu Baloyi
says we cannot allow a situation whereby young girls are abducted and raped in the
name of culture.
Baloyi says no cultural, tradition
or religious practises supersedes our Constitution. We need to make sure that
whatever we do in the name of culture should be in line with our Constitution.
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