4 December 2006
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Benjamin, will join the
wives of Chiefs and elderly women in KaNyamazane stadium, Nelspruit on 8
December as part of the campaign of 16 Days of Activism against the abuse of
women and children.
The objective is to highlight the abuse of elderly women, who are amongst
the most vulnerable members of society, but whose plight sometimes goes
unnoticed. The event will start at 09h00.
The event will be co-hosted by the Mpumalanga Daantjie royal kraal in line
with the Southern African Development Community Gender and Development
Declaration and its Addendum on "Prevention of Violence against Women and
Children."
Dr Benjamin said, "Many elderly women face abuse from spouses, children,
grandchildren, members of the community and this largely goes unnoticed, as
campaigns tend to focus on younger or middle-aged women. As government we seek
to highlight the plight of elderly women and to mobilise society to assist in
combating it. We are pleased that the wives of Chiefs are buying into this
campaign, as the traditional leaders are a central point in most rural
areas."
This meeting takes place against the backdrop of the National Queens and
Wives of Chiefs conference in 2005 led by the Minister of Social
Development.
On 7 December, the Deputy Minister will officiate at a sod-turning ceremony
for a shelter for abuse victims in Badplaas, Mpumalanga near the Albert Luthuli
Municipality, starting at 09h00.
Enquiries:
Zingaphi Matanzima
Tel: (012) 312 7381
Cell: 073 122 3133
Issued by: Department of Social Development
4 December 2006
Source: Department of Social Development (http://www.socdev.gov.za)
