Over 400 delegates comprising of Ministers and government representatives, policymakers, academics, activists and NGO representatives from the SADC region are expected to attend the upcoming International Victim Empowerment Conference at the Protea Hotel - The Ranch, in Polokwane (Limpopo Province), from 29 September to 1 October 2010.
The conference will provide a unique regional platform to review progress with regard to implementation of victim empowerment programme and strengthen regional collaboration on the growing phenomenon of human trafficking. The conference is organised by the Department of Social Development in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Commission.
“One of the biggest and stubborn social problems that threaten to undermine our democratic gains is the high levels of violence against women and children. And this is a reality for many women and children across the SADC region”, said Social Development Minister, Mrs Edna Molewa, adding that the conference would be a landmark event, allowing participants to take stock of current trends and developments in victim empowerment and develop strategies to promote regional cooperation to combat human trafficking.
“Violence against women and children, including domestic violence, undermines the core values which our country is based on”.
The Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) was officially launched in 1998 as a joint government and civil society initiative under the first pillar of the National Crime Prevention Strategy to address the high levels of crime and promote a victim-centred approach in the criminal justice system. A key purpose of the Victim Empowerment Programme is to facilitate the establishment and integration of inter-departmental and inter-sectoral programmes and policies for the support, protection and empowerment of victims of crime and violence with special focus on women, children, older persons and people with disabilities.
South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power which commits government to take the necessary steps to implement social, health, education, economic and specific crime policies to reduce victimisation and encourage assistance to victims in distress.
Government has developed and is currently implementing various pieces of legislation and policies to prevent and address matters relating to crime and violence. These include the Domestic Violence Act (Act 116 of 1998), Service Charter for Victims of Crime, Minimum Standards as well as the National Policy Guidelines for Victim Empowerment to guide the improvement of services to victims of crime and violence Social Development is the lead government department in implementing the Victim Empowerment Programme. The programme is supported by UNODC through EU financial contribution under the EU Programme of Assistance to the South African Government.
The Programme of Assistance includes a number of interventions covering training and skills transfer particularly for civil society and relevant government departments; the provision of advice; legal reform; the provision of grants to civil society; and the development of normative guides, manuals and reports on best practices and training.
Among the key issues on the conference's agenda is discussion on the correlation between human trafficking and substance abuse and the role of men and boys in combating Gender-Based Violence. The challenges and proposals on improving services to the victims of crime and violence will also be discussed.
The Minister of Social Development, Mrs Edna Molewa will deliver a keynote address.
Other government Ministers from the South African government and SADC countries will also address the conference which will take the form of plenary and workshop sessions.
The conference will culminate in the adoption of a National Programme of Action and regional initiatives to bolster victim empowerment programmes. As part of the conference programme, the Minister and other dignitaries will visit a victim empowerment project in the local area.
The first day of the conference will also mark the launch of the Social Development Month, which will be celebrated under the theme: “.
Mr Jaconia Kobue
Tel 012 312 7793
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E-mail: JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za
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Mr Mandla Mathebula
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