Torch lit to mark 16 Days campaign
Gabi Khumalo
18 November 2008
A torch of peace was lit at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday to mark this year's 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign - beginning on 25 November - which is themed: "Don't look away, act against abuse".
After lighting the torch, a symbol of the fight against violence against women and children, Deputy Provincial and Local Government Minister Nomatyala Hangana said that a lot of groundwork had been laid in preparing the country for the daunting fight against violence.
She said that since the start of the campaign, societal awareness about problems such as child abuse and domestic violence, especially against women, had increased considerably.
Increased partnerships
A study last year by the Government Communication and Information System found that about 33% of South Africans were aware of the 16 Days campaign, as compared to only 16% in 2003.
Since 1999, there had also been an incredible growth in the partnership between the government and the private sector in supporting the campaign.
"This has had a number of positive consequences, such as that the joint effort enabled us to raise some of the required funds for a number on non-governmental and community-based organisations dealing with victims of gender violence and child abuse," Hangana said.
"This indicates that if we continue to work together, there will be nothing that can defeat us. A lot of work still awaits us if we are to win this war, and it is therefore important that we continue the fight beyond the normal 16 Days period to push it throughout the year as part of the 365 Days Programme."
Alcohol, drug factor
Hangana said evidence showed that the abuse of alcohol and drugs contributed towards the high levels of women and child abuse as well as the spread of HIV/Aids.
"This is the most difficult part of the campaign, because it requires a change of heart as well as behaviour; it is something that cannot be dealt with in terms of policy formulation or by simply enacting laws.
"This is also the message that we have been carrying out to people everywhere we go, and it is the same message that we have also been conveying to the people on the farms as part of the farm workers programme that we have undertaken in the last two years," Hangana said.
Upholding rights, restoring dignity
The 16 Days campaign was launched in 1999 as part of the government's efforts to rally South Africans against the high levels of violence directed at women and children, which has been prevalent in local communities.
Among the objectives of the campaign is to uphold the rights of citizens and restore the dignity of the most vulnerable members of society.
The major goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the challenges posed by societal attitude and practices that continue to perpetuate gender-based violence and child abuse.
Among the achievements of the 16 Days campaign since its inception was getting more men to support the fight against violence directed at woman and children, which culminated in the Million Man March held in various provinces, with the main event held in Bloemfontein, in November 2007.
Source: BuaNews
