16 Days of Activism against abuse
Imagine if, for 16 days, there was no rape, no child abuse. The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign challenges South Africans to declare a truce on violence against women and children - and, ultimately, to make it a permanent one.
Around the country, South Africans are being called on to combat violence against women and children.
For the 11th year, South Africa is taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women campaign, which runs from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
While the global campaign focuses on violence against women, South Africa added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country.
South Africa is still home to high levels of violence against its women and children, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguards women's and children's rights.
The government, business, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and the media are all participating in the drive to increase awareness of the negative impact of violence and abuse on women and children.
The campaign also aims to:
- Challenge the perpetrators of violence to change their behaviour.
- Involve men in helping to eradicate violence.
- Provide survivors with information on services and organisations that can help lessen the impact of violence on their lives.
What you can do
South Africans are urged to support the campaign by wearing a white ribbon - a symbol of peace - during the 16-day period to symbolise their commitment to never commit or condone violence against women or children.
Other ways of supporting the campaign:
- Speak out against woman and child abuse. Encourage silent female victims to challenge abuse. Report child abuse to the police.
- Check out the calendar and take part in a 16 Days event.
- Join a CyberDialogues online discussion about issues related to the abuse of women and children. For more information, see Gender Links, visit your local Thusong Service Centre, or see the following list of Cyberdialogues.
- Volunteer some of your time and energy in support of a non-governmental organisation or community group working in your area to help abused women and children.
- Donate some money to organisations working to end violence against women and children by making a contribution to the Foundation for Human Rights.
- Join a community policing forum (CPF) or community safety forum (CSF) to help fight crime in your area. For information on how to join, contact your local police station.
Rhetoric and reality
South Africa, according to non-governmental organisation Gender Links, needs to close the gap between the "rhetoric of gender equality" and the "reality on the ground".
Gender Links says the country has made impressive strides in recognising the roles and rights of women and children.
The Constitution recognises gender equality as the cornerstone of South Africa's democracy, and new legislation - such as the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and the Domestic Violence Act - have been lauded for enforcing the rights of women.
But more needs to be done. "Changing laws can be swift," says Gender Links. "Giving them effect, and changing the mindsets that often render them ineffective, is a much more demanding task."
Article last updated: November 2008
SAinfo reporter
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