BuaNews (Tshwane)
Siboniso Ntuli
3 December 2008
Female MECs in KwaZulu-Natal are to join throngs of women from all parts of the province to participate in a march to display their discontentment with women and child abuse.
The march on Friday evening, will start from the King Dinuzulu statue to the Ethekwini Community Church in Albert Park.
It will take place under the slogan "Reclaiming the nights", which is an international slogan used during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.
MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal, Weziwe Thusi said by reclaiming the night, women are not particularly saying they want to roam the streets at night.
"But they are saying that, as women, they want to feel safe wherever they are, regardless of what time it is and what they are wearing.
"We want to feel safe and protected in our country," said Ms Thusi.
This march will be one of the many ways in which women are expressing their feelings about women abuse.
High levels of violence against women and children are still prevalent in South Africa, despite the country having a world-celebrated Constitution and legislation that safeguards women's and children's rights. Crime trends released in June 2008 indicated that social crimes were still a major concern. These crimes are mostly committed within households, between victims and perpetrators who know each other. Government has stepped up calls to encourage the active reporting of abuse.
"Such crimes affect us all, whether you are an MEC or CEO. We are all women and if one is affected, we all need to join hands and act against it," said MEC Thusi.
Government, she said, was committed to building a caring and peaceful society, which protects its women and children from all forms of violence.
While the 16 Days of Activism Campaign runs from 25 November - 10 December every year, its objectives are reinforced by the year-long 365 Days Programme and a National Plan.
During this time, government runs a 16 Days of Activism Campaign, which aims to increase awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children. It also aims to use this campaign to mobilise all sectors of society to act against abuse.
The theme for this year's campaign is "Don't look away, Act against Abuse".
Every year, government in partnership with civil-society organisations and the business sector, continue to work together to broaden the impact of the campaign.
By supporting this campaign, thousands of South Africans have also helped to increase awareness of abuse and build support for victims and survivors of abuse.
The march will be followed by a night vigil where women will be able to pray and speak out against women and child abuse.
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