marking the end of 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse held at
Ixobho
11 December 2007
Today we are marking the official end of the 16 Days of Activism for No
Violence Against Women and Children. But in reality, we continue the campaign
against the abuse of our womenfolk and children as we begin 365 Days of Action
Campaign. The 16 Days of Activism campaign is part of the international
programme calling for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which started
on November 25 and ended on 10 December 2007.
Every year during this period the whole world calls for an end to the rape
of women, child abuse, sexual harassment and the emotional abuse of women. In
South Africa we use this time to heighten the consciousness of all our people
against violence on women and children. It must be stated again that we want to
put an end to this violence on a permanent basis. These acts must never be
allowed to resume after the 16 Days of Activism has come to its end. We want to
say: Don't look Away: Act Against Women Abuse. Today we are also closing the
commemoration of iNgcugce which has been a series commemorative events linked
to the liberation, empowerment and leadership of women in various aspects of
our history which we launched on 24 July 2007.
The nature of violence
According to the United Nations (UN), violence against women encompasses a
wide range of abuses. These are "physical, sexual and psychological violence
occurring in the family and in the general community, battering, sexual abuse
of children, dowry-related violence, rape, female genital mutilation and other
traditional practices harmful to women and violence related to exploitation,
sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and
elsewhere, trafficking in women, forced prostitution, and violence perpetrated
or condoned by the state."
Evidence of Abuse
When the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) looked at patterns, forms and
prevalence of abuse against women and children, it concluded that the signposts
are deeply troubling. In 2007 alone there were cases of violence and abuse,
under the guise of cultural, traditional and religious beliefs.
The CGE cites the following cases, amongst many which have led to the loss
of lives of women the:
* killing of iNkosi Nowanisi Ngubenani in Coffee Bay, Amathole District in
the Eastern Cape,
* killing of four women because of allegations of witchcraft in Lusikisiki,
Eastern Cape,
* killing of lesbians in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng
* killing and dumping of bodies of 10 women in Shayamoya cane fields in Umzinto
KwaZulu-Natal.
We also note incidents of abuse of women in T-Section in Umlazi Township in
KwaZulu-Natal. Their crime is that they want to exercise their right to wear
what they prefer to wear, including pants.
National response against abuse
Cultural and religious rights must respect the highest law of the land, the
Constitution which contains the Bill of Rights. We are also signatories to
international agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms
of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform of Action and others
which enshrine the rights of women to dignity and freedom of expression.
The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 and the Sexual Offences Bill reaffirm the
rights of women and children to live in a violence-free society. The Justice,
Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster in our province is working towards
strengthening all police stations by equipping them with specialised units i.e.
Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units. This will ensure
that all police stations get specialised units which will assist in preventing
delays in the processing of cases reported.
Rolling out the KwaZulu-Natal campaign
This year the campaign is popularising the white ribbon as a symbol of
personal and organisational commitment to the eradication against women and
children. The white ribbon is a commitment never to commit or condone violence
against women and children, and to speak out against violence where you see it.
We are pleased that Men for Change from the South African Police Service (SAPS)
and the KwaZulu-Natal Men's Forum are leading change in this regard.
We also applaud the man who has won the Man Making a Difference Competition.
We believe men and boys must be at the centre of the creation of a new society
which respects women and protects its children. The Beijing Platform for Action
emphasises the importance of equal partnership between women and men in all
areas of social development. Men and boys, nezinsizwa are central to the
elimination of gender-based violence working together with the women of this
province. Men, you are encouraged to be more active advocates for gender
equality through existing forums that I alluded to earlier. This forums are
pivotal to assuring that we accord our women folk the dignity they deserve.
Creating a new morality
We therefore add our voice to the call for a permanent end to violence in
the homes, violence in the workplace and in every sector of our society
especially that which is directed at women and children. Today's event must
reassert the right of women in Umlazi, Ixobho and elsewhere to choose whether
or not they want to wear pants and be free to walk the streets of our townships
and rural areas without fear of being harassed. Violence against women and
children is a crime. Those who commit this violence will be caught and they
will pay the price.
We cannot create this new society without the faith-based community and our
traditional leaders who must lead the revival of the Moral Regeneration
Movement in KwaZulu-Natal. Our young people must again be part of our scout
movement as Girl Guides and Boys Scouts movements. These structures develop the
moral cores of our young people so that they can grow up to be responsible
adults who respect themselves, their neighbours and are loyal to their country.
This movement will help us in our battle against teenage pregnancies, against
the infection of our people with HIV. It is this movement which will build a
society which does not commit or condone crime of all sorts in our communities.
In this new society women and children will feel safer wherever they are, any
time of day.
Protecting and Advancing Human Rights: KwaZulu-Natal Government
The Office of the Premier, working with the Provincial Human Rights Forum,
has developed the KwaZulu-Natal Human Rights Framework. This framework will
assist in monitoring the realisation of human rights for the people of
KwaZulu-Natal. We stated in our Budget Vote speech early this year that the
monitoring would be the responsibility of the Provincial Human Rights
Forum.
We shall continue with Human Rights Education and Awareness Campaigns until
such time that our people are in a position to claim their rights and report
human rights violations to relevant authorities. The Office on the Rights of
the Child has established the Advisory Council on Children's Rights. This has
led to the establishment of the Intersectoral Technical Teams which are
assisting in the fast-tracking of service delivery of the children's rights
issues.
The Office on the Status of Women will continue to intervene in cases of
women abuse and refer these to relevant authorities. We will act for 365 days
of the year, 24hours a day against the abuse of women and children. We will not
look away! We shall act!
Don't Look Away: Act Against Women Abuse. Don't Look Away: Act Against Child
Abuse!
Masisukume Sakhe!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
11 December 2007
