November 28, 2005
By Buhle Makabane
EAGER to bring the anti-violence message home, Johannesburg marked the launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against woman and child abuse at Johannesburg Metropolitan Council in Braamfontein a day before the national launch.
Speaking at the Joburg launch, Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo said the campaign sought to challenge all South Africans to declare a truce on violence against women and children and, ultimately, make it a permanent one.
Although the global campaign focused on violence against women only, South Africa had added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country. This year the campaign's theme is Partnerships for Peace.
The Cyber Dialogues were also launched on the day, with a cyber café set up at the Metro Centre for the next 16 days. People can take part in online discussions with experts and stakeholders, as well as post their ideas about issues for further debate.
Different topics are discussed daily and one can participate by visiting the Gender Links website.
The chat room is open daily between 1pm and 2pm.
Those who do not have access to the internet can use the cyber café at the Metro Centre.
National launch
Just a day later, on Friday, 25 November, the national launch of the campaign was held at Katlehong Stadium in neighbouring Ekurhuleni. Shouts of "
Wathinta abafazi wathinta imbokodo - you strike a woman, you strike a rock," echoed through the stadium.
Thousands of people braved the scorching sun to witness the Torch of Peace being lit by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. It will burn for the full 16 days of the campaign at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Mlambo-Ngcuka sent out a strong message that abuse, rape and torture of women and children would not be tolerated. "[Abusers] cannot be tolerated; they have no place in society."
Additional laws were being introduced that would take the fight against such violence to new heights. Mlambo-Ngcuka took the opportunity to introduce the Domestic Violence Act to the public, saying it ensured that women's rights were protected when it came to abuse in the home.
"Most cases of abuse take place in their homes - families and communities should help expose offenders."
The deputy president said that when the Sexual Offences Bill was finalised it would broaden the definition of sexual violence and help ensure that even heavier sentences were introduced for offenders.
In the meantime the Department of Health had launched a National Sexual Assault Policy that aimed to provide "a high quality, co-ordinated and holistic assault service which meets the health needs of the rape survivor and the needs of the criminal justice system".
Joining the Mlambo-Ngcuka at the launch were Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour, Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Cheryl Gillwald, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Firoz Cachalia and Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Duma Nkosi.
The Torch of Peace, accompanied through the Ekurhuleni streets by more than 40 cyclists, was lit by Mlambo-Ngcuka, Balfour and Cachalia, who said abuse needed to be eradicated, not reduced.
Role playing
A play performed by men sent messages of peace, love and comfort to victims of abuse - and made men in the audience aware of the effects of such abuse.
Men played the roles of women who were beaten by their husbands; the character of a rapist sent a strong message. "I have been locked behind bars, away from friends and families. How long shall we carry on abusing children?" asked the actor.
The play also focused on the consequences of abuse, such as unwanted or abused children ending up on the street, sniffing glue and quivering from the poisonous drug, and picking through dustbins in search of food.
In all, the play's powerful message was directed at abusers, reiterating that they needed to change.
Correctional Services
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is organised by the Department of Correctional Services and aims to highlight issues of gender-based violence. It is supported by the non-governmental organisation Gender Links, which hosts the Cyber Dialogues.
They were developed in 2004 to enable people to discuss the campaign, to air their views and to participate in debates with experts, government officials and other stakeholders.
In 1981 the day that marks the start of the campaign, 25 November, was declared International Day of No Violence Against Women at the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogotá, Columbia.
As always, this year the campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December.
The South African Post Office has printed more than a million free, self-addressed postcards to pledge one's support for the campaign. They can be signed and posted back to the Department of Correctional Services.
One can also make a pledge by visiting the 16 Days of Activism page on the Department of Correctional Services' website.
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