MEC Ntuli convenes Provincial Gender-Based Violence Summit in an effort to end the scourge of violence against women and children
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli today officially opened and addressed stakeholders during the Provincial Summit on Gender-Based Violence at the Premier Resort Sani Pass in Himeville, outside Underberg.
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is rife in the Harry Gwala District and many young women in this district face a bleak future, as the practice of ukuthwala is common in many parts of this district.
The Provincial Government has stepped up efforts of fighting Gender-Based Violence and has developed a radical plan to end violence against women and children as it is one of the key areas of focus in the Provincial Turn-Around Strategy that was recently approved by the Provincial Executive Council.
The two-day Summit on Gender-Based violence which ends tomorrow will draw participation from various sectors of society across the province. This Summit is part of the November Safety Month campaign, which was launched by MEC Ntuli this week.
The Summit will provide a platform for stakeholders, law enforcement and community crime prevention structures alike to robustly discuss ways to drastically reduce the scourge of Gender-Based Violence, Femicide and ukuthwala, particularly in the Harry Gwala District, with the aim of securing a safe living environment especially for women and children.
Importantly, this Summit will be part of reaching a consensus and forging partnerships with all sectors in the implementation of the Programme of Action aimed at reducing incidents of abuse against women and children, providing victim support and ensuring that cases are expedited and concluded in court rolls.
