This morning, the Gauteng provincial government will mark this year’s International Women’s Day as declared by the United Nations, by hosting a prayer meeting at Standard Bank Arena, east of Johannesburg to pledge solidarity with the women and children of Haiti.
This year’s commemoration which will be held under the theme: “Women and Men United to end Violence Against Women and Girls”, will see a number of women groups ranging from churches, business, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and community based organisations (CBO) attending.
In Keeping with this year’s theme, Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane will use this occasion to highlight the plight of women and children of Haiti who survived the devastating earthquake which hit the Caribbean island recently.
The premier, who will also be joined by Health and Social Development, MEC Qedani Mahlangu, will also call on the citizens of the province to make any form of donations such as food, money and clothing to ease the suffering of the people of Haiti.
NGO’s focusing on women, men’s organisations, religious organisations affiliated to South African Council of Churches (SACC), Progressive Women’s Movement and the South African National Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition (SANGOCO) are expected to attend the event.
While the event will be used to pray for the people of Haiti as they try to rebuild their lives, it will also provide a platform to highlight the plight of millions of South African women and children who are still trapped in poverty. The rise of violence against women and sexual abuse of young girls in the province will also come to the fore.
A call will also be made to women not to protect perpetrators of abuse but to report them as this is the only way the scourge of abuse can be stopped.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 March 2010
