This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign for no violence against women and children has shifted from awareness to accountability, creating an environment for men to play a greater role in the prevention of gender-based violence and femicide. Gauteng Province has, in the recent past, experienced a high number of violent incidents perpetrated against women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Men and boy children are also affected by the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV).
During the past weekend, the Gauteng Community Safety led by the Head of Department, Ms Nontsikelelo Sisulu hosted the GBV Men’s conference and Retreat session at the Venue Hotel and Conference Centre during the past weekend. The conference which was part of the build-up towards the 16 Days of Activism campaign was aimed at breaking the barriers and stigma associated with being a male survivor of gender-based violence.
The Department has an ethical responsibility to provide care and support victims of gender-based violence in line with the Provincial Gender-Based Violence Response Plan. Gender-Based Violence does not discriminate against a person based on their gender and race. Meanwhile, the MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko led the provincial launch event of the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children at Temba Stadium in Tshwane on the 25th of November 2021. The launch was held at Temba in Tshwane following the highest number of reported rape cases as per the second quarter crime statistics for the 2021/22 financial year. The Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela lamented the fact that Temba has now become the hotspot for gender-based violence while urging the law enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to turn the situation around.
“Temba policing precinct has taken over Inanda in Kwazulu-Natal as the rape capital. We must fulfill our moral and ethical responsibility of protecting women and children. This must be done unconditionally,” said Lt Gen Mawela.
The MEC outlined plans on how Gauteng Province will observe this important campaign which has become one of the most recognized advocacy campaigns in the fight against gender-based violence. The MEC called upon community members to report gender-based violence cases and men to step up in the fight against the scourge.
“Some of the challenges that do exist is that most people don’t report GBV cases. While some report these cases, they come back and withdraw them making it difficult to prosecute due to lack of sufficient evidence. Our campaign this year is aimed at getting men to be the ones who help us in fighting the scourge of gender-based violence. We also call upon various organizations that deal with liquor traders to also step up in the fight because some of these GBV incidents happen in taverns and shebeens. We need more partners to help us in the fight against gender-based violence,” said MEC Faith Mazibuko.
