Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will mark the closing ceremony of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children by launching the National Council Against Gender-Based Violence.
The council will, amongst others, facilitate the provision of help and response to victims and survivors of gender-based violence; adopt comprehensive measures in addressing all forms of violence against women and children as well as women with disabilities, and coordinate the 365 Days National Plan of Action against Gender-based Violence.
The council will be chaired by the Deputy President, with a dedicated secretariat located in the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
Motlanthe will on Monday attend and address the official closing ceremony of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, to be held at Ben Marais Hall in Rustenburg, North West.
The 16 Days campaign is observed annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
This year marks the 13th anniversary of the campaign, which is being held under the theme, "From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women!"
As a sub-theme, South Africa is focusing on the "Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and children".
Government believes that the success of the 16 Days campaign is dependent on the partnership between government and all sectors of society.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence will be observed in honour of gender-based violence victims. Motlanthe will then light a peace torch and hand it over to the Department of Transport.
Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele, including the Deputy Ministers of Justice & Constitutional Development, Andries Nel; Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga and Police, Maggie Sotyu will be among the government officials to witness the ceremony.
Various organisations including Men's Sector, Disability Sector, Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, Bikers: Ride on Speak Out, UN Family and Cosatu are expected to give a message of support.
