BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
20 November 2008
Cape Town — Government has called on South Africans to join hands and support the national campaign against gender-based violence.
Held each year, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign challenges South Africans to declare a truce on violence against women and children and ultimately to make it a permanent one.
"Government once again calls on all South Africans to support the campaign by participating in activities to raise awareness against women and child abuse," said Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko on Thursday.
Mr Maseko, who was briefing reporters after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, said this was the time for everyone to take a stand.
The campaign will be launched by the Deputy President Baleka Mbete in Beaufort West this weekend. The 16-day period begins on 25 November and ends on Human Rights Day on 10 December.
During this period, the Victims Charter and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development will be promoted, said Mr Maseko.
The Victims Charter encourages victims to demand services from administrators in the country's justice system and educates them about their rights.
The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which was adopted at a SADC Summit earlier this year, calls for governments in the region to repeal all discriminatory laws and instead include gender equality and equity in their Constitutions. It also urges for 50 percent representation of women in political and decision-making structures by 2015.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign also calls for the elimination of all forms of violence perpetrated against women by establishing a link between local and international anti-violence work and providing a forum for organisers to develop and share strategies.
Although the global campaign focuses on violence against women only, South Africa added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country.
Government has conceded that the high incidence of social crimes in the country is a cause for concern, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguard women's rights.
South Africans are urged to support the campaign by wearing a white ribbon, which is symbolic of peace, during the 16-day period to show their commitment to never condone violence against women or children.
During the campaign woman are urged to support victims of abuse and encourage them to break the silence by reporting it to the police.
People can also volunteer their time or donate money in support of a non-governmental organisation or community group in their area to help abused women and children.
Other initiatives include joining a community policing forum (CPF) or community safety forum (CSF) to help fight crime in your area. For information on how to join, the public can contact their local police stations.
Others can do so by joining CyberDialogues, an online discussion about issues related to the abuse of women and children. For more information one can visit www.genderlinks.org.za .
As the holiday season approaches government hopes that it will be a time of family and friends. Mr Maseko said a number of campaigns would be implemented over this time to ensure all South Africans can enjoy safer and well-deserved holidays.
"All South Africans have a responsibility to ensure that these holidays are safer for all by taken steps such as making sure that children are not left unsupervised in streets, beaches, swimming pools and at home.
"Road users must obey the rules of the road, especially observing speed limits and not to drink and drive; reporting violent behaviour at home and in communities; and cooperating with law enforcement agencies," he said.
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