Conference and the launch of 365 Days of Activism Against Violence and Abuse on
Women and Children, Ingwenyama Lodge, White River
6 December 2007
Programme Director,
MEC Pule, our 16 Days of Activism Champion
Members of the Executive Council,
Executive Mayors and Councillors,
Government's Social Partners,
Gender Activists,
Senior Managers and officials in the Public Service,
Conference delegates and presenters,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The launch of the 365 Days of Activism Against Violence and Abuse on Women
and Children is an important step towards deepening Mpumalanga's commitment to
combat the violation of the human rights of women and children. It is an
expression of our collective resolve to ensure that the 16 Days of Activism
campaign on the prevention of violence against women and children is entrenched
and sustained throughout the year. Indeed, respect for women and children in
our communities must constitute our cultural way of life.
Collectively, as government, business, civil society organisations,
faith-based organisations, the media and the community at large, it is
essential that we all participate in sustained social mobilisation against
violence and abuse on women and children. The 2007 Campaign theme enjoins us
not to look away, but to act against abuse. So, "Don't Look Away â Act Against
Abuse".
Despite the constitutional guarantees of the human rights which women and
children are entitled to, we are disturbed by the high levels of violence
against women and children which continue to plague our communities.
Critically, we need to enhance public awareness about the negative social
outcomes of violence against and abuse of women and children. Physical abuse,
rape, incest, sexual harassment, verbal abuse and trafficking of women and
children are some the fundamental violations that result in emotional and
psychological distress among the victims of abuse.
In addition to these forms of abuse, we need to consciously deal with
institutionalised sexism, gender discrimination, inequality and injustices that
compromise women's health and reproductive rights, as well as access to safe
health facilities.
It is critical that today's conference discussions define strategies and
programmes aimed at transforming social behaviours towards respect for women
and children. We need to challenge the perpetrators of violence to change their
behaviour, and encourage women and children to break the silence by reporting
incidents of abuse and violence.
In many instances, the prevalence of violence and abuse in society is
shrouded in secrecy and is well veiled by women themselves due to cultural
orientations and traditions that encourage women to suffer and die in silence.
Most victims are silent about reporting cases of violence against them, either
because they fear reprisals, or because they are ashamed to have been attacked
by their husbands or partners.
Programme Director, studies are showing trends that incidents of abuse
usually occur in places where women and children think they are safe - in their
homes. Violence against women is most likely to happen in the home, a supposed
safe place for women. Most women and children know the perpetrator.
Many of the women, who are victims of violence by a present or past partner,
have children, and they are abused in the presence of their children.
Invariably, children are affected by violence as they grow up in a violent and
unstable home. Their socialization in this unstable and violent environment
tends to manifest itself through the practice of abusive behaviours when they
become adults.
Changing social behaviour requires that, as society, we instil positive
values among our young boys to respect women. We should involve men and boys in
helping to eradicate violence. As a province, we therefore need to strengthen
interventions that involve men and boys in promoting attitude and behaviour
change.
The recent Million's Men March and the memorandum submitted to the MEC for
Safety and Security, Mr Mahlalela, and the Chief Magistrate, Mr Ngobeni, is a
giant and positive transformative step taken by men and our boys in the
Province to modernise our society. We should applaud them for the initiative
taken to make a bold statement that violence and abuse against women and
children should stop.
To lesson the impact of violence on the lives of victims, it is important
that our criminal justice system supports the victims of violence and abuse by
ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book. Women and children must be
encouraged to report cases of abuse to the police. The confidence in the
criminal justice system should result in improved cooperation between the
communities and law enforcement agencies to eliminate domestic violence and
abuse.
Working with civil society, we must enhance our institutional capacity to
support victims of violence and abuse. It is essential that we expand services
to reach out to rural women and children. Our partnership must strengthen
support for victims and survivors by supporting institutions (shelters) that
provide interim assistance to women and children who are victims of violence
and abuse.
Ladies and gentleman, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation are some of the
contributory factors to the high rates of HIV and Aids infections among women.
The gender and economic power relations between men and women tend to make
women vulnerable to HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Violence, abuse and fear compromise a woman's ability to negotiate safe sexual
behaviour, even in a consensual union.
Poverty and economic dependency also reduces a woman's leverage in
negotiating sexual preferences and decisions. In such circumstances, she is
forced to engage in sexual activities against her will in the hope to sustain
the relationship for economic dependency reasons.
Programme Director, I am confident that this 365 Days of Activism conference
will reaffirm our commitment to the eradication of all forms of violence
against women and children. The consolidation of the inputs from various
sectors and stakeholders will hopefully provide the basis for the Provincial
Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence. We should work together and heighten
awareness of the negative impact of Gender-Based Violence.
Let us all work together to continue building a nation that cares and
respects women and children, a nation that promotes equality and justice, a
nation that guarantees freedom from violence and abuse of any form, a nation of
equals.
Thank you.
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
6 December 2007
