Mahlangu, at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against
Women and Children, Sedibeng District Municipality
26 November 2006
Programme Director
Sedibeng District Executive Mayor, Mlungisi Hlongwane
Members of the Mayoral Committee
The elders of the Church
Members of the congregation
Women groups
Business leaders
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
Faith-based organisations (FBOs)
Ladies and gentlemen
Distinguished guests
Each year, South Africans from all walks of life heed the call to intensify
the national movement against women and child abuse. We rally around to observe
the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, as a
symbolic gesture that we are determined to eradicate gender-based violence,
especially against women and children. In doing so, we are mindful of the
scourge of HIV and AIDS, any form of abuse against women and children; be it
physical, verbal or psychological abuse.
Again this year, we join civil society and organisations such as People
Opposed to Women Abuse (POWA), Child Line, Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre,
Commission on Gender Equality and the Men's Forum to mention but a few, to
express our disgust and displeasure at this cancer of abuse. We are uniting in
growing numbers to fight violence against women and children.
By coming to this area of Sedibeng District we are indicating that the 16
Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children should be taken to
the grassroots, where people are residing. We do so bearing in mind that we
also need to strengthen our partnership against AIDS, since the vulnerability
of women is a key factor in the spread of HIV infection and that most families
are headed by AIDS orphans.
Programme Director, it is important that this year we strengthen the
campaign for no violence against women and children, and to make special
efforts to spread our message to the grassroots level and beyond our borders.
It is at local level that issues of abuse, rape, child neglect, sexual
harassment and emotional abuse happen daily. It is important for all of us to
sign a pledge against any form of abuse, especially abuse perpetrated against
women and children.
Recent statistics show that one in four women in South Africa is in an
abusive relationship. It is sad that twelve years into the new democratic
dispensation, we have in our midst male counterparts who have made it a hobby
to abuse their partners. We are committed as government, working with other
stakeholders in rooting out this cancer.
Importantly so, communities need to blow the whistle against women and child
abuse. We should stop sweeping these things under the carpet because we too are
guilty by keeping quiet we are in a sense accomplices. It does not matter
whether the alleged perpetrator is a breadwinner or not as it has been the case
in many instances whereby a father sexually abuse his children and the mother
decides to keep quite and report the matter to the police.
It happens also that a woman decides to die in silence while in an abusive
relationship because the alleged perpetrator, happens to be a breadwinner. In
harnessing and strengthening this partnership, we must work with law
enforcement agencies.
Gender violence perpetuates itself because of the patriarchal system that
operates in our homes, in our workplace and in society at large. Men's
superiority complex should be challenged in as much as we challenged white
superiority in the past. Male perpetrators must not be glorified as macho. Men
should say it aloud that to beat a woman is not "cool." It is actually a sign
of weakness and insecurity.
Community action against women and child abuse must be escalated. Parents
must instil in their families the value of respect for the dignity of every
human-being. Gender violence, especially women battering and any form of sexual
abuse must be condemned. Boys and girls must be brought up in an environment
free of gender discrimination and violence.
Programme Director, as government, we are doing all we can, through the law
and other ways to fight violence against women and children. The Criminal
Justice System is committed in dealing ruthlessly with alleged perpetrators of
women and child abuse.
Men and women in blue, are equally committed in addressing these social
ills, hence a dedicated team of police officers have undergone specialised
training to be more sensitive when dealing with victims of abuse, while on the
other hand stop the offenders in the tracks and ensure hefty sentences for
those found guilty of any form of abuse.
When the Sexual Offenders Bill is finalised, we hope that it would broaden
the definition of sexual violence and help ensure heavy sentences for convicted
offenders.
We urge perpetrators of these crimes to stop with their actions as they are
hell-bent on destroying our nation and the future generation by engaging in
these acts.
I would like to applaud the Men's Forum for championing the cause, giving a
platform to men to show their disgust against women and children abuse.
As we start with the campaign, let's ensure that during the 16 days, we show
our support and solidarity by wearing a white ribbon. This will serve as an
indication that we do not accept women and child abuse.
Wearing a white ribbon is an indication that we are united in support of the
16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
Parents must instil in their families the value of respect for the dignity
of every human being. Gender violence, especially women battering and any form
of sexual abuse must be condemned. Boys and girls must be brought up in an
environment free of gender discrimination and violence.
Every home must be a shelter for abused woman and children in the
neighbourhood. It is high time that we protect every woman and child who is
exposed to abuse. We all must take responsibility in fighting the scourge of
violence against women and children. You or your sister and child may be the
next victim. So, we can't be silent forever. Speak up against gender
violence.
Local government has a key role to play in mobilising ward committees and
Community Development Workers (CDWs) in playing an active role in rooting out
any form of abuse.
We must combine our efforts to ensure the implementation of the 365 Days
National Plans against gender violence, since violent crimes against women and
children remain unacceptably high.
In conclusion, allow me to quote Ellen G White from her book titled
Education:
"The greatest want of the world is the want of men or women, who will not be
bought nor sold, men who in their innermost souls are true and honest, men or
women who do not fear to call sin by its name, men or women whose conscience is
as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men or women who will stand for the
right though the heavens fall."
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Gauteng Provincial
Government
26 November 2006
