The Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities has condemned the behaviour of a group of men who attacked two teenagers near the Noord Street Taxi Rank because one of them wore a mini-skirt.
The department believes that such behaviour does not belong to our new democratic society which respects the rights of women and promotes gender equality. It is sad that in this day and age, there are individuals who believe that they have the right to dictate to women what they can and cannot wear.
This barbaric action is a harsh reminder of the need to redouble our efforts to reclaim our streets from those who terrorise women and children. Ordinary people and the entire civil society should work with government to help create a society that is safe and secure for women and children.
The scourge of child and women abuse threatens to erode many of the hard-earned gains of the liberation struggle. Child and women abuse deny women and children their birth rights. It condemns them to a life of fear and prevents them from being productive members of society.
We must work tirelessly towards a day when all women can walk the streets of our cities without fear of being harassed, raped or assaulted. We must ensure that all women are able to walk every street without having to look behind them to see who is following them.
As a department, we are confident that our law-enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice. The two teenagers who were humiliated and subjected to this barbaric act deserve nothing less.
Minister Lulu Xingwana reiterates her call to all members of the community to join government in its efforts to rid society of the scourge of women and child abuse.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tel: 012 359 0208
Cell: 082 578 4063
Department condemns barbaric taxi rank “mini-skirt” attack
