DA calls Zuma’s registration comments sexist

06 March 2016 - 13:44 By TMG Digital

The Democratic Alliance has charged that comments reportedly made by President Jacob Zuma while registering as a voter in Nkandla on Saturday are “outrageously sexist” and an insult to every single woman in the country‚ especially those who are survivors of violence and sexual abuse. Zuma was reported as saying that modern women were too quick to say they were being harassed when men were innocently complimenting them. “But when men compliment you innocently‚ you say its harassment. You will miss out on good men and marriage”‚ he was quoted as saying.“It is precisely this patriarchal attitude that allows for women to remain the subjects of high levels of violence and sexual abuse throughout our country. It is also this sort of thinking that keeps women locked out of the economy‚ and out of jobs that could bring a much needed income to their family‚” DA national spokesperson Phumzile Van Damme stated.She said the DA would report these comments to the South African Human Rights Commission.“We will also write to Jacob Zuma and the ANC Women’s League President‚ Bathabile Dlamini‚ and ask that they issue an apology – without delay - to the women of South Africa for their blatant disconnect from their lived reality across our country.“South Africans must join the DA in rejecting this blatant sexism. The best way they can do this is to register for change this weekend.“This is change that will end sexism‚ create jobs‚ and build an inclusive South Africa for all her people‚ men and women alike‚” Van Damme added...

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