In an address that encapsulated the struggles faced by women and girls, ANC deputy chief whip Doris Dlakude highlighted the deep-rooted systematic discrimination perpetuated by patriarchal norms which not only devalue girl children, but also stigmatise unwed mothers, compelling many to confront multifaceted challenges that compromise their autonomy.

Dlakude spoke at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly’s Forum of Women Parliamentarians in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday. She proposed key amendments during deliberations on “Recognising and supporting victims of illegal international adoption and preventing this practice”.

“In many societies, cultural and legal frameworks reinforce gender inequality, limiting women’s autonomy over their reproductive choices and family life,” Dlakude said. 

She said these dynamics, frequently intertwined with poverty, limited education, and social exclusion, heighten the susceptibility of women, particularly those from marginalised communities, to coercion, misinformation, and exploitation within the context of inter-country adoption.

She also noted that in some jurisdictions, women are even denied the right to confer citizenship on their children, further compounding their disempowerment and the vulnerability of their offspring.

“Given these realities, it is imperative that any support provided to victims of illegal inter-country adoption be guided by the principle of non-discrimination and gender inequality,” Dlakude said. 

“A gender sensitive approach ensures that the unique harms experienced by women and girls, whether as birth mothers or adoptees, are acknowledged and addressed through targeted remedies.

“This includes recognising the psychological trauma and coerced separation, the legal and social barriers to reclaiming parental rights, and the long-term identity struggles faced by female adoptees.” 

Dlakude said that dismantling the structural inequalities that perpetuate such violations necessitates embedding a gender perspective in the resolution. This is not merely an issue of justice, but a crucial step towards achieving lasting change.

She proposed the following amendments: 

“Preamble 16 includes patriarchal norms, recognising that gender-based discrimination, patriarchal norms, and violence, often rooted in moral and religious constructs regarding the social and marital status of the mother, as well as the exclusion of certain groups such as minorities and indigenous people, have been key drivers of illegal adoption,” Dlakude said. 

She suggested a new operative clause that urges states to ensure that all remedies and support mechanisms for victims of illegal inter-country adoptions are gender-sensitive and uphold the principle of non-discrimination in line with international human rights obligations.

“(There needs to be a) New operative clause support for birth mothers. We therefore call upon states to provide legal, psychosocial and economic support to birth mothers, particularly those who were coerced or misled into relinquishing their children and to remove legal barriers that prevent women from conferring citizenship and accessing justice.” 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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