South Africa : Government will not tolerate abusive men

By Edwin Tshivhidzo, tel: (012) 314-2454

Pretoria - Government will not tolerate men who continue to abuse women and children, says Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.

"Government will not tolerate such men, whom in my view are still fighting to have the abuse of women condoned because of cultural or traditional norms," she said.

Minister Sonjica was speaking at the close of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign at the National History Museum in Pretoria on Wednesday.

"It is disappointing that there are some men who continue to brutalise women and children even during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign," she said.

She called on South Africans to build stronger family ties which will avert the possibility of violence directed at women and children.

The minister further said women should be given the same opportunities as men.

"In order to sustain this objective, government will continue to implement and support programmes that are aimed at strengthening the advancement and development of women.

"Policies and legislations are also in place to ensure compliance and government is committed to increasing its support for the mobilisation of the industry to also support women development programmes," she said.

Some of the legislations that government has put in place, she said, include the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000, the Employment Equity Act of 1998, the Domestic Violence Act of 1998 and the Children's Act, 2005 and Children's Amendment Act of 200 all aim to bolster the rights of women and children.

"The legislation that is in place to protect the victims of gender disempowerment played a great role, not only in ensuring that victims are protected but also in changing the manner in which the justice system deals with this sensitive issue," the minister said. - BuaNews