Pretoria – Government will on Sunday launch the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign in Mafikeng.
The launch will be led by the Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, along with North West Premier Thandi Modise.
This year’s opening ceremony will take the form of an interactive session with community members. Civil society organisations that are expected to attend include People Opposing Women Abuse, Sonke Gender Justice, Childline, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), Men’s Sector, Survivor and ex-offenders’ organisations.
The launch will be held at Mmabatho Stadium at 9.30am.
16 Days is an annual awareness raising campaign observed globally. It seeks to address policy and legal issues; as well as campaign for the prevention of violence against women and children and to call for the elimination of all forms of gender based violence.
The campaign runs from 25 November, which was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. South Africa has added children in the campaign, as there is a growing concern caused by the increasing violence against children.
The campaign ends on 10 December - International Human Rights Day. Other important days commemorated annually during this 16-day period include World Aids Day on 1December and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. – SAnews.gov.za
