/ 1 February 2014

New political party to tackle gender issues

New Political Party To Tackle Gender Issues

A new political party with a focus on gender issues will contest the national elections this year, Equal Rights Party spokesperson Michael Herbst said on Saturday.

The party will concentrate on issues related to lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex South Africans, said Herbst.

The party has been formed because women are being raped if they are suspected of being lesbian and children are bullied when they are perceived to be gay, he said.

"We have this wonderful Constitution that says no one can discriminate against another on the grounds of gender and sexual orientation, yet nothing comes of it," said Herbst.

He said government does not speak out against corrective rape.

"We need someone in Parliament who will speak out on gender and sexual issues. We need someone who will say we are not going to tolerate this any more," he said.

Independent Electoral Commission spokesperson Kate Bapela said political parties will be registered for the elections once President Jacob Zuma has announced an election date. – Sapa