By BAKANG MOKOTO
The North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa bemoaned the spike in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases and urged men to come out in support of initiatives aimed at fighting the scourge of violence.
Moiloa said it is worrisome and disturbing to note that 13 000 women were victims of assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) between July and September 2022.
“More than 10 000 rape cases were opened in the same period by the police. This is according to the recent crime statistics and we make a clarion call to all stakeholders, including the religious sector, businesses, and every community member to play a role in protecting women and children.
“As the country marks 16 days of activism on no violence against women and children, we called for concerted efforts in curbing the scourge of GBV. Society must take part in mentoring and teaching young boys to always value and respect young girls and women,” she said.
Moiloa further said, they also need more men to stand up and make a difference. She added that, the voices and actions of men are crucial in the fight against violence and abuse.
“Changing behaviour and ingrained attitudes will not be easy, but men must take the lead in this drive. It is time for men to join the fight and become the vanguard of our common struggle to end violence and abuse.
“The 16 Days Activism Campaign continues to generate a heightened level of awareness amongst South Africans on the deleterious effect and impact of GBV and femicide in society,” said Moiloa.
She said over the past two decades, all partners especially the government, working with civil society, have been making concerted efforts in raising awareness about the 16 Days of Activism campaign within a broader approach of 365 days of action to address the scourge of GBV and femicide in the country.
Moiloa is also scheduled to lead a series of awareness campaigns on GBV across the province during the festive season.
Meanwhile, the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (MPWC) has welcomed the focus on economic emancipation in the government programs planned for the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children.
Committee Chairperson, Nkhensani Kate Bilankulu said, the MPWC was briefed by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services.
“We note that the campaign is a year-long, but that the 16 days between 25 November and 10 December is a period for focused reflection on violence and abuse experienced by women and girls in all their diversity.
“The committee heard that the campaign takes place annually from 25 November – International Day of No Violence against Women – until 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day,” Bilankulu said.
She said the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities said that, given the heightened levels of violence in South Africa against women, girls, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, the LGBTQIA+ community, women migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers and sex workers, the campaign has over the years evolved into a 365-days-a-year programme to fight GBV and Femicide (GBVF).
Bilankulu said the department told the committee that the proposed theme for this year is “Socio-economic Rights and Empowerment to build Women’s Resilience against Gender-based Violence and Femicide: Connect, Collaborate, Contract”.
The Guardian 