The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will on 25 November 2021 mark the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign (16 Days Campaign) under the theme: The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: 16 Days of Activism – moving from awareness to accountability.
The 16 Days Campaign is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The launch of 16 Days of Activism Campaign takes place during Disability Rights Awareness Month (3 November-3 December 2021).
Some of the questions that will be answered during the community engagement include:
- How can those who are working on combating GBVF move beyond rhetoric to accountability?
- What is required to create a narrative for prevention of GBVF aligned to the National Strategic Plan on GBVF?
- What have we learnt from the Year 1 Implementation Report of the NSP on GBVF released by President Ramaphosa on Women’s Day?
- Are existing international and regional human rights laws effectively and efficiently addressing the scourge of GBVF? What are the new developments in GBVF Laws in South Africa?
- What is required to encourage a consistent public discourse towards a strategy on prevention of GBVF?
- What will be the role of legislation and behavior change in addressing GBVF?
- What is the intended role of the National Council on GBVF?
The National Strategic Plan on GBVF coordinates the country’s approach to GBVF along six strategic pillars:
- Accountability, Leadership and Coordination
- Prevention and Restoration of Social Fabric
- Protection, Safety and Justice,
- Response, Care, Support and Healing
- Economic Empowerment
- Research and Information systems
The launch comes in the wake of shocking statistics released by the Gauteng Department of Health showing more than 23,000 girls aged under 18 gave birth between April 2020 and March 2021 – of which 934 were aged under 14.
SAPS also released the second quarter crime statistics which revealed that over 9500 rape cases were reported from July to September 2021. A sample of 6 144 rape cases revealed that 3 951 of the rape incidents took place at the home of the victim or the home of the rapist.
The community engagement provides the perfect opportunity for media to frame the 16 Days of Activism Campaign which is of vital importance to the country.
Source: Government of South Africa