Pretoria - Women, Children and People with Disabilities Minister, Lulu Xingwana, and SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani have agreed to work on joint programmes to raise public awareness against the scourge of violence against women and children.
Xingwana and Nematandani met on Thursday as part of government’s commitment to mobilise different sectors of society in the fight against the scourge of violence against women and children in the country.
Through this partnership, members of the community and the football fraternity will be mobilised to join in the national effort to create a safe and secure environment for women and children.
During the meeting, the two noted that the current spate of gender-based violence and brutality was a matter of grave concern to all South Africans and a painful reminder of the disregard for human life and the rights of women.
There was an acknowledgement that despite South Africa’s constitutional and legislative protection, gender-based violence remained unacceptably high. A concerted effort was therefore required to help eliminate this scourge.
Xingwana said that they were delighted to have SAFA as their ambassadors in the department’s campaign.
“Football is a powerful communication tool that speaks all languages and reaches every South African. We applaud SAFA for being part of this initiative and urge other organisations to emulate this noble example,” said Xingwana.
Nematandani said that to win the war against gender-based violence required the active involvement of all South Africans.
“As SAFA, we are privileged to be part of a campaign that seeks to create a society free of violence against women. We want to use soccer, as the number one sport in the country and with its mass appeal, to spread the word,” said Nematandani. – SAnews.gov.za
