against women and child abuse
8 November 2007
The Deputy Minister for Provincial and Local Government Ms Nomatyala Hangana
today launched the 16 days postcard campaign as a pre-launch of the annual 16
Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children at the Union Buildings,
Gauteng. A torch was lit as a symbol of hope and peace, signifying the
commitment of government in partnership with the private sector and
non-governmental organisations in the fight against abuse.
At the launch the Deputy Minister called on all South Africans to join her
and government in the campaign to eradicate abuse against women and children.
However, Hangana noted that not all men are abusers and called on them to join
the efforts to transform the society towards an abuse-free South Africa. "We
know that there are many men who do not and who would not, commit such acts,"
she said.
"Some of these men could have been perpetrators of one form of abuse or
another, but have since changed their ways," she added. The postcard serves as
a communication channel through which to create awareness to broader South
African population as well as to raising funds to support initiatives aimed at
fighting abuse. Also announced today was the Million Men's March to be launched
on Sunday, 25 November.
The Deputy Minister is calling on men to join in the Million Men's March on
the day of the launch of the campaign across the country. Although the main
march will be in the Free State province, other provinces will host their own
marches to mark the day. "This is an exciting innovation to this year's 16 Days
of Activism Campaign, whereby we are calling on all men and boys supported by
women and girls to take to the streets in their thousands in an organised and
disciplined manner throughout the country on the first day of the Campaign,"
said the Deputy Minister.
Women will also join in the march as a sign of support. To participate in
the march, the public will have to register by signing the 16 days campaign
postcard and mail it back to the 16 days secretariat, details of which are
available on the card. The Deputy Minister was accompanied by the top
leadership at the South African Post Office (SAPO) and other key players in the
campaign.
The Post Office Board Chairperson, Vuyo Mahlathi told the media that her
organisation is committed to the campaign and has called on the SAPO staff to
prioritise the campaign. "I am hoping that in not so distant future there will
be no need for such a campaign as our society will be fully transformed," said
Mahlathi. The campaign will be officially launched on 25 November and will end
on 10 December 2007.
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
8 November 2007
Source: Department of Provincial and Local Government (http://www.dplg.gov.za)
