Government has today concluded the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children during which the spotlight is put on the fight against women and child abuse.
The end of the campaign on December 10 coincides with the International Human Rights Day. The campaign started on November 25, which is an International Day of No Violence against Women. It is run between these days to mobilise a global focus on the challenges of gender based violence and abuse that is affecting women around the world.
The national closing ceremony took place in at Durban city hall and was addressed by the Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana, KwaZulu Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize, Minister for Basic Education Angie Motshekga and Minister of Transport Sbu Ndebele. In attendance also were Deputy Ministers of Police, Human Settlement and Trade and Industry
As part of the end of the campaign, Minister Xingwana accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Zoe Kota-Fredericks, handed over houses to the Magcaba and Nxusi families who are victims of the recent massacre in Ntshongweni, in Durban.
The initiative is meant to restore the victims’ dignity with adequate homes and food gardens, amongst others, and is part of the 16 Houses for 16 Days project.Speaking at the closing ceremony, at the Durban city hall, Minister Xingwana said the project was aimed at addressing one of the dimensions contributing to the perpetuation of violence against women and children – the lack of housing or shelter.
She said government, through its law enforcement agencies, is committed to act swiftly against acts of abuse and further called on the community to assist law enforcement agencies in apprehending perpetrators of abuse.
“As a community, we have an obligation to work with our law enforcement agencies by reporting these cases and providing all the information that can assist in the arrest and conviction of these abusers. The serial killer of 13 women at Umzinto sugarcane fields (south of Durban) was arrested and is currently on trial because of the information from the community,” she emphasised.
During the campaign, emphasis was also put on the need to raise awareness about services that are available to victims of abuse.These include social workers who are available to assist abused children. Victims of sexual violence can also access counseling and health services that can prevent unwanted pregnancies and HIV infection, while in cases of domestic violence women can request restraining orders to prevent abuse.
The ministry will also be working with partners in government and civil society to make sure that there is greater awareness of the services, even in most remote rural areas of the country.
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Sibani Mngadi
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