4 December 2007
Thousands of representatives from government, civil society, rural women and
business will converge at Pretoria's Sammy Marks Square to join the Gender
Justice Partnership march to the Union Buildings on 5 November 2007. The march
is part of the national calendar by which all sectors of society mark 16 Days
of Activism for No Violence against Women and Child Abuse.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign
is an annual United Nations-endorsed campaign that begins on 25 November each
year and ends on 10 December. It is one element of government's year-long
integrated and cross-sectoral drive. More and more South Africans are heeding
the national call to fight against to eliminate the abuse of women and children
and all forms of gender discrimination. The government delegates will be led by
the Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Ms Nomatyala Hangana
who is the champion for the campaign.
Although the level of awareness of the 16 Days Campaign has grown
tremendously in both urban and rural areas, the abuse of women and children in
the country remains unacceptably high.
The march will leave Sammy Marks Square at 11h00 am and arrive at the Union
Buildings at approximately 12h30. Four representatives from government, civil
society, business and rural women will hand over a memorandum to President
Thabo Mbeki. This will immediately be followed by speeches by the
cross-sectoral representatives at the Union Buildings lawns. Members of the
media are invited to attend and participate at the march.
Date: 5 November 2007
Time: 11h00
Venue: Sammy Marks Square, Pretoria
Enquiries:
Thokozani Mtshali
Cell: 082 334 8770
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 521 9614
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
4 December 2007
