In commemorating ten years since the beginning of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign and this year’s World AIDS Month, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is embarking on a programme to highlight the plight and challenges faced by women and children in communities from 27 November to 11 December 2009. This is jointly undertaken with sister Departments of Community Safety and Health and Social Development, the Provincial Taxi Councils, the South African Men’s Action Group (SAMAG) as well as the Aurum Institute.
The objectives of the campaign themed: “Create safety in public places” include the following, amongst others:
* The facilitation of dialogue on the significance of gender roles in understanding and addressing gender-based violence
* To profile and raise awareness on issues of violence against women and children and share success stories
* To highlight dangers posed by gender disparities and its impact on the spread of HIV and AIDS
* To create awareness of the existence and the needs of child-headed households; and
* To communicate services available for women, children and people with disability.
The campaign also seeks to promote responsible sexual behaviours and attitudes among stakeholders involved in the taxi industry. The awareness campaign will take place in the following areas:
Date: 27 November 2009
Municipality/venue: West Rand District – Randfontein taxi rank
Time: 08h00 to 15h00
Date: 2 December 2009
Municipality/venue: Ekurhuleni Metropolitan – Tembisa: Titeng taxi rank
Time: 08h00 to 15h00
Date: 4 December 2009
Municipality/venue: Sedibeng District – Vereeniging taxi rank
Time: 08h00 to 15h00
Date: 9 December 2009
Municipality/venue: Tshwane Metropolitan – Marabastad taxi rank
Time: 08h00 to 15h00
Date: 10 December 2009
Municipality/venue: Johannesburg Metropolitan - Bree taxi rank
Time: 08h00 to 15h00
Date: 11 December 2009
Municipality/venue: Metsweding District – Bronkhorstspruit taxi rank
Time: 08h00 to 15h00
The programme will include messages of support from six chairpersons of taxi councils, edutainment by peer educators, one-on-one and group discussions, condom distribution as well as carrying out health screenings (blood pressure, diabetes mellitus etc) to community members.
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government
24 November 2009
Source: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gdace.gpg.gov.za/)
