By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo will launch the 16 Days of Activism in Taung, Magogong village on Friday.
The 16 Days campaign is an annual awareness campaign raising drive that is observed globally. It will be celebrated from 25 November to 10 December 2013.
“Its purpose is to address policy and legal issues as well as campaign for the protection of survivors of violence and to call for the elimination of all forms of gender violence” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign continues the theme of “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!” in 2013.

 
The North West South African Police Service selected the provincial celebration to be in Taung, Ikageng, near Potchefstroom and Boitekong in Rustenburg as these places have a high rate of crime against women and children.

 
“The 2013 16 Days Campaign advocates for awareness and action on the multi-faceted intersections of gender-based violence and militarism, while highlighting the connection between the struggle for economic and social rights and ending gender-based violence”.

 
“The theme focuses on militarism as a creation and normalization of a culture of fear that is supported by the use or threat of violence, aggression, as well as military intervention in response to political and social disputes or to enforce economic and political interests” said Ngubane.

 
Police said militarism is a system of structural violence that infringes upon the human rights and human dignity, safety, and security of women, men, and children in nearly every country and region of the world.[2] The impact of militarism can be seen in the way national budgets are allocated for health services, education, and public spaces versus military budgets; in legislation and policies that marginalize women and minorities; in discriminatory policies and acts enforced or condoned by state authorities; and in military response versus diplomacy to political and social issues.

 
The Campaign emphasizes that women’s rights are human rights, and acknowledges the role of patriarchal systems that embody harmful traditions and legal policies that normalize violence against women, and deny women their right to a life of dignity. Ending violence against women and children is up to all of us.
The focus for the 2013 16 Days campaign period is prevention, addressing roots causes of violence directed at vulnerable groups (women, girls and boys, the elderly, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and intersex (LGBTI) communities, people with disabilities, etc.). These include addressing cultural and other practices that are harmful to women and children.

 
The event will take place as follows:
Venue: Magogong Village ( Diplankeng), Taung
Time: 10h00
Date: 29 November 2013-TDN
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