Urgent action is needed to stop the scourge of violence and violation of right to sexual orientation through what is termed "corrective rape", says Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
Minister Xingwana made the statement when presenting the budget vote of her Department to the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town today.
"Our country faces a serious crisis of violence against women and children. We have children being dumped in dustbins while women, young and old, are falling victims to rape and murder.
The right to sexual orientation as stipulated in our Constitution is also being violated through the so-called corrective rape of lesbian women," said Minister Xingwana.
She said the Task Team convened by the Department of Justice to look into the violation of rights of lesbians and gays should provide the necessary guidance to assist Government to stop the rape and murder of people based on their sexual orientation.
Minister Xingwana said the challenge of violence against women and children is also highlighted as the main challenge facing South Africa at international gender forums including the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York and the Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women which holds its hearing in Geneva.