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16 Days of Activism against abuse

24 November 2009

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 10th year, South Africa is taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

While the campaign runs only for 16 days each year, its objectives are reinforced by a year-long 365 Days programme and a national plan to combat abuse.

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 calendars 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 or visit your local Thusong Service Centre.
• 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."

Torch of Peace

At the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday, Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya on Monday lit a Torch of Peace to symbolise the fight to end violence against women and children in the country.

Mayende-Sibiya said that while the campaign had succeeded in creating awareness among the South African public over the past decade, the abuse of children and women still continued to occur.

"This disjuncture between the high level of awareness and persisting abuse is a cause for concern," she said, necessitating a review of the country's programmes for combating gender-based violence and child abuse.

This year's campaign, she said, would also be used to intensify the response to the drug trade as well as the enforcement of restrictions on access to alcohol.

"We should highlight the negative effects of alcohol abuse through various means, including messages on the containers of alcohol beverages," Mayende-Sibiya said.

SAinfo reporter