Statement by Government, Chapter 9 Institutions, and Civil Society - Towards the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign
We have called this media briefing as partners working together in the fight against gender based violence. The 16 Days of activism against gender based violence is a United Nations global campaign in all societies. South Africa was amongst the first countries to adopt this campaign and apply it to our context. This media briefing is to encourage the nation to build upon the momentum of recent public struggles against Gender-Based Violence. South Africa was amongst the first join this United Nations Campaign.
Together, and across all sectors, we must unite towards the total eradication of all forms of violence against women.
As the calendar term for the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence approaches, from 25 November to 10 December, women’s movement mobilization and activism have reminded us of the strength in unity. It is only when we unite across race, class, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religious beliefs and political-parties that we can achieve the end goal of total emancipation of women.
The history of South African women’s activism shows us that it was only when women were united across multiple subjective backgrounds, that our struggles advanced.
In 1956, for example, it was because women dismantled the social barriers that divided them and united towards a common goal that the women’s march bore substantive gains. Again, the institutional mechanism of the National Gender Machinery was a direct result of women’s unity in struggle - during the CODESA negotiations and within the National Women’s Coalition. Likewise, women’s gains during the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit earlier this month is a more recent testament to the power of a united women’s movement.
Amongst others, the GBV and Femicide Summit on 1 and 2 November 2018 resolved that political and community leadership must support and champion the cause of eradicating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. The Summit also resolved that political, community, family and business leadership must be held accountable.
Critically, the Summit resolved for society to collectively develop and implement a targeted, social behaviour change programme to address patriarchal values and norms - and other structural drivers of Gender-Based Violence.
We call upon all South Africans to heed the United Nations theme #HearMeToo by breaking all forms of silence against all manners of abuses and violence against Women.
The #HearMeToo theme symbolizes a collective appeal to society, to hear women’s pains and demands against Gender-Based Violence. #HearMeToo is also a call to action to all victims, survivors, witnesses and all other affected – to continue to speak up, in any manner, about or against violence perpetrated against ourselves, our loved ones, those in our care, or a stranger. It is only when we collectively speak against this scourge that we can hope to completely end it.
We are bringing attention to this year’s #HearMeToo theme through the Robot against Gender-Based Violence. The Robot is an instant and critical determinant between healthy and unhealthy relationships. The Robot is about protection and safety. It is about taking precautionary measures, asking for help, and leaving a destructive relationship.
We urge all women’s organisations across the country, all community activists, academics, public servants, and concerned community members to consolidate their calendars for the 16 Days of Activism. They must populate their diaries widely so that we can collectively contribute to sustaining the momentum of women’s struggles.
We also urge women’s organization to continue to build and sustain indicators so that the state does not rely on the indicators of the Police Department alone.
We acknowledge that the National Gender Machinery in government cannot shift public policy agendas for women without the participation of organisations of civil society. Financing and Resourcing of programmes against Gender-Based Violence is central to the achievement of our efforts. The Department of Women is leading policy advocacy for Gender-Responsive Budgeting across all sectors. We therefore urge all members of society to consider how each use of their finances contributes to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The Ministry of Women has invited all pillars of the state to strengthen national efforts towards a South Africa that is free of all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
The Department of Women will be launching the 16 Days of Activism Campaign on Sunday, 25 November 2018, at the KwaNzimela Anglican Church Hall, KwaMagwaza in Melmoth, KwaZulu Natal. Our calendar of events for the period include strategic dialogue sessions with boys and men, discussions with women Traditional Leaders, honorary commemorations of the lives and legacies of Women Comrades who lived and died for the struggle against gender inequality, like Charlotte Maxeke and Albertina Sisulu. We will also hold discussions with the LGBTIQA+ Community, and launch the “Public Hearings Against All Forms of Gender Abuses In The Guise Of Religion And Faith.”
Government opened a Gender-Based Violence Command Centre where victims of Violence and those who want to speak up against violence can call social workers 24 hours a day on 0800 428 428. Victims, survivors, and witnesses can also send a Please Call Me to *120*7867#. South Africans can also visit www.gov.za for links to other resources including the presidential hotline.
Enquiries:
Mandla Tshabalala
Cell: 084 304 6239
Cell: mandla.tshabalala@women.gov.za
