Celebrating 20 Years of Creating a Safer Environment for Women and Children
Programme Director, Pastor Mathibela,
Cllr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa: Executive Mayor of Tshwane Metro
Cllr Morakane Mosupyoe-Letsholo: Speaker of the Tshwane Metro
Cllr. Eulanda Mabusela: MMC: Health and Social Development
Cllr. Jabu Mabona: Chief Whip: Tshwane Metro
Hon. Councilors of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
Dr Sadiq Syed Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Multi-Country Office
Department of Correctional Services
Department of Social Development
South African Police Service
Faith Based Organisations
PWMSA-Tshwane
Civil society/NGOs of Tshwane Metro
Government officials from all spheres
Ladies and gentlemen
Sanibonani, molweni, dumelang, good day, goeie dag!
It is an honour, this day, to be with so many committed activists from the Tshwane region united in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Together we can move South Africa forward by ensuring that we work side by side in bringing an end to the scourge of abuse and gender-based violence in our communities.
I wish to commend the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality under the capable leadership of the executive mayor, Cllr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa, for organising this Community Social Cohesion Imbizo on gender-based violence and using public participation programmes as a vehicle for reaching out to communities and ensuring their involvement in finding solutions to challenges that confront us.
It is only through the active participation of all stakeholders, especially the various communities, that we can win this battle. GBV is not (just) a police issue, it is not (just) a social worker issue, it is not (just) a government issue, it is not (just) a woman issue. It affects all of us gathered in this hall today.
As the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities we will continue to partner with the City of Tshwane and any other organisation in all programmes that are geared towards the elimination of gender-based violence and the realisation of the rights and empowerment of women, children and people with disabilities.
Programme director,
Today we are just five days away from the fifth general elections to be held on the 7th of May. This is indeed a historical moment in the history of our country as millions of South Africans will be voting and thus celebrating our hard won democracy which was gained through relentless struggles and sacrifices. I have no doubt in my mind that we will deliver peaceful, free and fair elections.
The elections take place at a time where as a young nation we have taken time to reflect on the gains of our democracy in the past 20 years. Indeed there is much to ponder on for we have a good story to tell.
Colonialism, cultural and religious practices promoted patriarchy and the oppression of women both at home and in the workplace.
Apartheid further entrenched discrimination based on gender and introduced policies and laws that oppressed women, keeping them hostage in their own motherland.
All these factors bred an unequal society which created an environment for abuse and gender-based violence to thrive.
The attainment of democracy and freedom brought for the first time, the promise of gender equality and the dream of an equal society where men and women, black and white are able to each make a meaningful contribution to building a better South Africa.
Today we celebrate the institutional mechanisms that have been established to protect women’s rights and dignity and the safeguarding of children’s rights.
Progress in meeting basic needs such as housing, access to water and primary health care has especially benefited women, redressing past inequalities.
We are celebrating the fact that more girls are in school and tertiary education than ever before, meaning that we are making progress in breaking the cycle of marginalization which is key in fighting GBV.
Women continue to benefit from economic empowerment programmes. They are also the major beneficiaries of the social security programme, one of the key poverty alleviation mechanisms in our country.
More women are in senior positions in parliament, cabinet, provincial legislatures as well as in provincial and local government and continue to represent the country at an international level.
Before 1994, the South African Parliament had a mere 2.7% representation of women. Through the visionary leadership of former President Nelson Mandela and the ANC, women representation jumped tenfold to 27% following the 1994 elections. After 1997, having adopted the 30% target for women representation as ANC in the Mafeking Conference, we stood at 30% and 33% representation of women after the 1999 and 2004 elections respectively under the leadership of former President Thabo Mbeki.
In its Polokwane National Conference held in 2007, the ANC adopted the 50\50 representation. This increased the representation of women to 44% in Parliament and 42% in Cabinet 55% women Premiers, 38.2% Women in Local Government, and 39% Women in Senior Management ranks in the Public Service under President Jacob Zuma.
Before democracy women were mainly confined to magistrate positions. No black woman held a judge position. In 1993, there was only one white woman judge. Today, we are seeing women judges in the judiciary, now there is over 60 women judges. We now have also a woman judge president and two women occupying seats at the Constitutional Court. We are looking forward to seeing more women appointments in the judiciary.
South Africa’s leadership on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality
As a country we are proud of the caliber of women leaders we have produced who are representing not only South Africa but the continent as a whole by occupying global leadership positions, such as the Chair of the African Union (AU) Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma; the Executive Director of United Nations (UN) Women Dr Pumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; Special Gender Envoy of the African Development Bank, Ms Geraldine Frazer-Moleketi; High Commissioner for Human Rights Judge Navi Pillay; among many others.
South Africa’s good performance on gender equality is evident both in international and regional indices. On the Social Institutions and Gender Index of the OECD, South Africa is ranked 4th out of the 87 countries in the 2012 index and was the top ranked country in Africa. A good story to tell!
On the SADC Gender and Development Index, South Africa ranked 2nd in 2012, with a score only slightly lower than that of the top performer, Seychelles. On the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index, South Africa has consistently remained in the upper levels, reaching 6th position in 2011.
Programme Director,
Creating safer environment for women and children
The ANC-Led government adopted significant legislative reforms and has developed policies and programmes based on the National Constitution and its Bill of Rights (Act 108 of 1996) which seek to promote and protect women’s rights in the home, in the community and in the workplace. Laws such as The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act of 116 of 1998), Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993, The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and related Matters Amendment Act) 2007 commonly referred to as the Sexual Offences Act, The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act 4 of 2000) have either been amended or introduced.
Furthermore, we have introduced policies, laws and budgets relating to education, health, child protection and social security. As a result, there has been a reduction in child poverty and inequality as well as an improvement in the living conditions of children living in poverty – a good story to tell.
Since 1994, the government working together with communities has been hard at work to build safer communities. Much progress has been recorded in this regard.
We are, however, concerned that crime levels, particularly crimes against vulnerable groups such as women and children, remain of serious concern. This area will continue to receive our priority attention.
Introduction of Orange Day
The multi-stakeholder partnership in action today at this Imbizo is in line with that commitment to work together with various structures of society, to bring change. It embraces the United Nations’ call to “Unite to End Violence against Women and Children” referred to as “Orange Day”.
The concept was introduced in 2012 when Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, declared the 25th of every month as the “Orange Day”. The colour Orange symbolizes “healing” as we are all in the journey of healing our society and restore peace and dignity in our cities.
The main purpose of Orange Day is to bring all communities together to fight and raise awareness against the scourge of violence against women and girls. The campaign also encourages partners and stakeholders to come up with methods to eradicate gender-based violence and protect women and children. As you are aware, as many as one in every three women has either been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some other way - most often by someone she knows, including by her husband/boyfriend.
So far I have launched Orange Days in seven provinces, and I urge Tshwane in partnership with my department and UN Women (represented here today) to keep up the momentum and raise awareness on the 25th of each month.
We call on communities to support this initiative by breaking the culture of silence and denial, so that we can bring an end to abuse in all its forms.
Programme Director,
The emergence of street drugs like Nyaope, that originated in Tshwane townships of Soshanguve, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi, and tik, is contributing tremendously to gender-based violence, destroying the future of South Africa’s youth and ruining the lives of their parents.
When they should be in school, addicted children are scavenging for money to finance their addictions. They steal whatever they can lay their hands on and will do anything just to get “high”.
This has serious implications for millions of South Africans children because alcohol and substance abuse contribute to crime, gangsterism, domestic violence, family dysfunction and other social ills.
It is in the interest of every member of society, men and women, young and old, to form a united front against the scourge of gender-based violence, abuse, substance abuse and the marginalization of vulnerable members of society.
The prosperity of our nation hinges on us creating and sustaining an environment that is free from all forms of abuse and discrimination.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence
The South African government has since 1994 taken an integrated approach to service delivery including the fight against gender-based violence. This led to many interventions being introduced.
Government introduced the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC), one-stop facilities as a critical part of South Africa’s ‘Anti-Rape Strategy’ aimed at reducing secondary trauma for the victim, improve conviction rates and reduce the cycle time for finalising cases. The TCCs are recognized by the United Nations as one of the best practice models in the whole world to respond to sexual offences.
The Specialised Sexual Offences Courts were reinstated to particularly deal with cases involving sexual offences in order to accelerate convictions for rape and other sexual offences as we address gender-based violence. The Specialised courts have reinforced the establishment of a victim-centred court system that is prompt, responsive and effective and reduces secondary victimization.
Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units in the South African Police Services were established to ensure that women and children are protected from further trauma and secondary victimisation, and to ensure that the police officials that handle these matters are appropriately trained, have the necessary expertise and are sensitive to the victims.
South Africa’s victim empowerment policy is based upon the concept of restorative justice. Its guidelines provide a framework for sound inter-departmental and inter-sectoral collaboration for managing victim empowerment. This led to the development of the Victim’s Charter.
National Council Against Gender-based Violence
The National Council Against Gender-based Violence (NCGBV) made up of government departments, civil society organizations, women organizations, men organisations such as Sonke Gender Justice, including faith based organizations and Traditional leadership was established in 2012 with an objective to consolidate the concerted efforts to fight the scourge of violence against women, children and people with disabilities.
It mobilises structures of societies for the reduction of GBV through the implementation of coherent strategies.
Against this background the NCGBV has implemented a Bill of Responsibilities Campaign in collaboration with the National Religious Council. Drawing from the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution, the Campaign is about Ubuntu. With religious leaders leading the quest towards moral change in society, shaping a new sense of togetherness based on love, compassion, respect, integrity, honesty, dignity and freedom.
Some of the programmes the council coordinates are:
- The annual Sixteen Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children which reaffirms our commitment to create a society that is safe and secure for women and children in the churches, mosques, synagogues, Hindu temples etc.
- The Vikela Mzansi Campaign which consists of activities to ensure mass mobilisation of communities against gender-based violence. The implementation of Vikela Mzansi Campaign ensured collaboration with the sports fraternity, the media, partnership with traditional leaders, a programme with Oondlunkulu (wives of Traditional Leaders) and Widows in collaboration with the National House of Traditional Leadership.
- The Sereletsa Bana (Protect the Children) programme was launched on National Childrens’ Day on 05 November 2013 and a programme on responsible parenting formed part of the focus area.
- The Vikela Oogogo campaign calls on South Africa to protect our elderly against gender-based violence. It was launched on the 1st of October 2013 on the international Day of the elderly In the Eastern Cape and taken to Limpopo on the 6th October 3013 which was Grandparents Day.
Cabinet has appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee to investigate the root causes of violence in general, and in particular against women and children, and to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the matters.
The criminal justice system has begun to issue harsher sentences including multiple life sentences to perpetrators of heinous crimes such as rapes of women children and people with disabilities. This is serving as a deterrent and also shows that government is serious in dealing with this scourge.
Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill
The gendered nature of poverty results in women being continually subjected to abuse, hence the continued violence against women and children. This is why gender equality is more than a goal in itself but a fundamental precondition if we are to rise to the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, addressing inequality and eliminating gender-based violence.
This is why we have tabled before parliament the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill.
Once enacted, the Bill will accelerate the implementation of other legislation, policies, strategies and programmes to advance the empowerment of women and the achievement of gender equality.
It makes specific reference to the empowerment of women with disabilities and women in rural areas, a minimum of 50% representation and meaningful participation of women in all decision-making structures, including in corporate boards to holistically and cohesively address issues of women’s leadership, participation and representation.
The Bill will assist to accelerate the mainstreaming of gender in policies and programmes across the public and private sectors.
It affirms the commitments to the promotion of gender equality and prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender as provided for in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution and the International Instruments that South Africa has signed and ratified, such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Beijing Platform for Action, the AU Protocol and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Gender Protocol
As I conclude programme director, there are five essentials everybody should know about gender-based violence:
- Women are victimized in any number of ways, including partner abuse, rape, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Women are more likely to be beaten or raped by their partners or husbands than by anyone else. The effects are profound and lasting, from unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion to sexually transmitted diseases, ongoing gynaecological and psychological problems.
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Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive human rights abuses in the world.
There is no excuse for violence. Yet perpetrators justify their violence through a variety of excuses and ideas: that women should be disciplined and controlled by their partners ; that certain men or women like lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals, transsexuals and intersex people (LGBTIs) deserve to be abused because of their actions, words or dress code; that men are naturally violent; or that jealous beatings are a way to express love. -
Gender-based violence is also a public health issue.
Research shows that gender-based violence is a significant cause of maternal death and a risk factor for contracting HIV, as well as a leading cause of other physical and mental problems, including chronic pain, depression and substance abuse. -
Gender-based violence does not affect only women.
While it is true that the overwhelming majority of gender-based violence is targeted at women it affects children and the welfare of families. - You have a role.
Everyone has a role to play in changing the story line. Yet as common as gender-based violence is, there is a culture of shame that keeps most people silent about it. To end the scourge of gender-based violence, we must stop the silence.
Survivors of gender-based violence are often first encouraged to seek help when someone, possibly a health provider, asks whether they are experiencing violence. For many survivors, knowing that the violence they are experiencing is not okay, and is not a sign of love, is a critical first step.
Finally, I urge all of you to actively support this community social cohesion campaign in order to:
- End Violence Against Women and Children
- Encourage victims to break the silence and ensure that they get help,
- Strengthen local organisations engaged in the fight end to GBV and support abused women and children,
- Support and encourage your churches to partner with government in ending violence against women and children
We must vehemently refuse to accept gender-based violence as a normal occurrence in our communities. It must not be that we are shocked by how violent the acts of abuse are becoming rather than by the very act of abuse itself.
It is necessary therefore to challenge social attitudes which makes the rights and needs of women subject to the will of men, whether it be their spouse or partner.
The involvement of men and boys as partners in fighting violence against women and children needs to be encouraged.
The right of women to equality, to freedom and security of person, and to the other freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights, needs to be asserted and defended.
Lastly, there could not be a better way to pay tribute to the founding father of our democracy, the late Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, than by making sure that all of us who are eligible to vote go to the polls on May 7 and exercise our democratic right to vote.
Malibongwe Igama laMakhosikazi!
