South Africa : Call for action as 16 Days Campaign kicks off

By Bathandwa Mbola

Pretoria - For 16 days South Africans will get a heightened awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children and we will be challenged to do our part in ending it.

Government, together with various organisations dealing with victims of abuse, perpetrators of abuse, battered women, men and children, will partner during the 16 day period, and stand united to oppose violence perpetrated against women and children and promote the rights of victims and survivors.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, kicked off with an opening ceremony on 22 November in Beaufort West and officially kicked off on Tuesday.

The focus of this year's campaign will be on generating more awareness on the negative impact of violence on women and children at grass roots level. This will be done through implementing programmes directly and physically in communities - taking the campaign to the people in the rural areas and across all the provinces.

The campaign will be marked by marches and events which are being planned throughout the country, the lighting of the Torch of Peace ceremony took place in Pretoria last week, while an HIV and Aids Benefit Concert in Sasolburg in the Free State on 29 November.

During the nine years that it has been observed in South Africa, the 16 days campaign has succeeded in playing an instrumental role in placing issues related to abuse against women and children on the national agenda.

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.

Government and civil society will during this year's campaign also focus on publicising and celebrating the legacy that the campaign has built over the years; identify the campaign's strengths and see what more can be done to propel the fight against gender-based violence forward.

Everyone is urged to support the campaign by wearing a white ribbon during the 16-day period. This will symbolise a commitment to never commit or condone violence against women or children, and to speak out about violence where you see it.

We are all urged to participate in the various 16 Days of Activism events and activities taking place. Events can be viewed at: http://www.womensnet.org.za/calendar.shtml. - BuaNews