the national launch of 16 Days of Activism, Bloemfontein
25 November 2007
Programme Director
Deputy Minister Hangana
Members of the Executive Council
Executive Mayors, Mayors and Councillors
Representatives of all sectors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
We have gathered here today to mark the beginning of 16 days in which we
remind ourselves that the promotion and protection of human right is an
integral part of government's plan. This morning we saw men taking a firm stand
in the fight against women and child abuse.
We heard men pledging allegiance to government's cause of protecting women
and children. It is indeed pleasing to see men showing condemnation of this
repulsive behaviour performed by their fellows. We are really proud of them and
encourage them to further engage other men to ensure that this scourge is
completely eliminated.
Awareness around the 16 days campaign has increased remarkably but the
challenge we are still facing is the high levels of the abuse of women and
children. We are deeply disturbed by the media reports of incidents relating to
the abuse and murders of women and children. We cannot shy away from the fact
that some of these incidents are associated with other socio-economic
factors.
We know that some women contract HIV because their partners refuse to
practice safe sex. We have also heard of cases of marital rapes and our
intention is to encourage women to report these cases as they are indicative of
violation of their rights. Alcohol and drug abuse also play a role in
gender-based violence. Some men abuse substances and use women and children as
their punching bags or even fatally battering them. We condemn these acts and
call upon the perpetrators of violent abuse to discontinue. Men must engage
each other and find solutions to prevent this scourge.
Government has undeniably shown that it views this matter in a serious
light. The right of women and children to live in violence-free society cannot
be overemphasised. This is indicated by the move to extend the 16 days of
Activism Campaign to 365 days. As we approach the festive season, we want men
to remember that the campaign is still on and must be intensified during that
period as more women are exposed to increased violence and risky behaviour.
Amongst the policies and legislations that government has developed to fight
against women and child abuse, we acknowledge that we also need to strengthen
our behaviour change programmes in order to curtail the spread of HIV and AIDS.
This is as a result of the existing link between violence against women and HIV
infection.
We are in the process of promulgating the Sexual Offences Bill which seeks
to provide greater protection to vulnerable people who are victims of sexual
offences. The bill also seeks to broaden the definition of sexual violence to
ensure that once perpetrators are charged and convicted, they receive heavy
sentences.
We hope to see drastic changes once the National Council of Provinces
approves this bill. This and other acts will give a signal to offenders that we
are serious about zero-tolerance on violent abuse. It is also an indication
that we taking drastic measures to effectively deal with violence against women
and children.
As we are renewing the pledge to fight against women and child abuse, we are
again launching the Victimâs Charter that will ensure that a comprehensive and
integrated response is provided to victims of crime. Through this Charter, the
rights of the victims will be protected; the police, prosecutors, social
workers, parole officers, etc are compelled to treat everyone with respect and
ensure that their needs are met.
We have an obligation to support and protect those defenceless women and
children who have been abused and victimized. All of us need to be part of the
processes and programmes which seek to address the abuse and victimisation of
the vulnerable people. The inclusion of young men in this programme would
ensure the inculcation of social values that support the human rights ethos of
our Constitution. We need to instil in them the ethics that reject violence and
embrace tolerance and respect for women. Their involvement in the fight against
this awful behaviour would encourage them to expose violence and abuse in all
in manifestations.
As we are gathered here today, we are in agreement that it is time for us to
take action, time to do something positive and meaningful. Surely we are of the
same opinion that the onslaught against women and children is a problem that
must be addressed by the collective. Men have already indicated their stance
and we believe that their action would not only end today with the march.
Through this campaign let us not only build awareness, but most importantly
empower women and children to know their constitutional rights. Let us
contribute to the restoration of the dignity and respect of the victims of
gender violence. To further demonstrate the condemnation of violence against
women and children, our courts have in recent months handed down stiff
sentences to those accused of violence against women and children.
I am pleased that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has undertaken to
offer specialised training to police officers in order to efficiently and
sensitively deal with cases of violence against women and children. The efforts
of the Justice department to strengthen the police stations to deal with cases
of abuse are applauded. The intention is to have units such as Family Violence,
Child Protection and Sexual Offences in all the police stations.
We should remember that in order to overcome this scourge all sectors of our
society should join hands with government. We need to forge strong partnerships
that will enable us to expose and ultimately eradicate the occurrence of
violence against our women and children. Let us all unite in fighting violence
against women and children. Let us support governmentâs initiatives aimed at
protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly women, children, the
elderly and the disabled.
As we launch this campaign, let it be a reminder of the commitment we made
to build a caring and tolerant society. Let us deepen the debate around how to
treat and protect the most vulnerable members of our society, including the
disabled and the elderly.
Let us contribute towards the moral regeneration movement to ensure that we
realise a unified, prosperous and progressive nation. Let's deepen the fight
against these monstrous and barbaric acts. South Africans, let us renew the
pledge to fight against women and child abuse.
I thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
25 November 2007
