KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu and all the MECs in partnership with the uMgungundlovu District Mayors, has launched the provincial 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign at Swayimane in Pietermaritzburg today.
At the launch the Premier announced that the provincial government has developed the 365 Days Provincial Action Plan with an aim of mobilising the people of this province towards ending violence against women and children throughout the year.
The area has experienced an increase in the number of sexual abuse of women.
“Through the 365 Days Provincial Action Plan, we want to demonstrate our commitment to systematic and sustained action, backed by strong, dedicated and permanent institutional mechanisms. Coordinated through the Office of the Status of Women and Children in the office of the Premier, the 365 Days Action Plan aims to:
1. Addressing the root causes of violence;
2. Improving violence prevention and victim protection services;
3. Responding to the health and economic needs of those affected by gender-based violence;
4. Supporting legislation – and its enforcement – across all spheres of government in the province.
“It is unfortunate that we assemble together here under the dark cloud of an unprecedented increase in reports of the abuse – both physical and sexual – and increase in violence perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of our society –women and children in KwaSwayimane and the rest of the province.”
“We wish to take this opportunity to sound the clarion call for all elected representatives of government, in the provincial and local government, to pull out all stops and do all in their power to engage their constituencies in an effort to seriously address the issue of restoration of the moral fibre of our society in these extremely challenging times.”
“When we inaugurated this democratic government, we made an undertaking to put on top of the agenda, women issues. We did so understanding that for many years, women have been at the receiving end of the most brutal system – the apartheid regime. Next year we will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of our democracy, we owe this Freedom to the founding mothers of this democracy. It is an indictment to all of us that woman and children remain the most vulnerable members of society,” said Premier Mchunu
In her capacity as uMgungundlovu District Political Champion, MEC for Finance, Ms Ina Cronjé, hosted this two-fold event which also marked Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet Day. The day started with cabinet visiting all the war rooms at uMshwathi Municipality, which was followed by a peaceful walk where the Premier, MEC’s, Mayors and all sectors of community were expressing their rejection to all the social ills in the area. The day culminated with fruitful government and community engagement on social and service delivery issues at Swayimane sports-field.
For more information please contact:
Musa Cebisa
Cell: 071 687 8777
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
