The Department of Social Development and Special Programmes will launch the 16 Days of Activism on 'No Violence against Women and Children' Campaign on 28 November 2011, at Mthonjana Location, Mqanduli, KSD Municipality at 10h00.
The campaign begins from 25 November- 10 December annually and it is government’s yearlong, integrated and cross – sectoral drive to eliminate the abuse of women and children.
The objectives of this campaign are as follows:
- To encourage communities to speak out on abuse and violence and encourage a society that is free of violence and abuse
- To denounce brutal killings of elderly women accused of witchcraft
- To engage actively with men and boys in the discourse about combating violence in our homes, our communities and in the workplace
- To support victims and survivors of abuse and violence
- To denounce substance abuse by our youth
- To challenge perpetrators of these offences to change their behaviour
- To enhance and increase partnerships between government, the private sector, civil society, organised labour, sectoral groups, faith based organisations in the fight against the abuse of women and men
This year the launch will be held at Mqanduli, a small rural town under the OR Tambo District Municipality. The reason for holding the launch at OR Tambo District Municipality is to reach the most rural areas with an objective of raising awareness around brutal killings of poor elderly women accused of witchcraft, rape of women and children, abuse and gender – based violence. Statistics from South African Police Service reveal that the Municipality has high rape statistics in the province and there is generally an escalation of crimes directed at women and children.
The theme for the campaign is 'Don't Look away, Act against Abuse'.
Enquiries:
Gcobani Maswana
Cell: 082 821 7410
