As South Africans observe the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, a call has been made to all men to lead the change in communities.
“It is sad that today, some members of our communities are yet to internalise the fact that the rights of women and children are the same and equal to those of men, and that the abuse, especially violence is unlawful,” said Basic Education Director-General, Hurbert Mathanzima Mweli.
Mweli was speaking at a Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster media briefing on Thursday, in Tshwane. He was updating the media on the progress made in the implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2014-2019 in the second quarter towards achieving the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP): Vision 2030.
The Director-General called on citizens to engage in dialogues around the root causes of a violent society, in order to end violence against women and children.
“The National Development Plan envisions a South African society in 2030 that would embrace its diversity across the contours of race, class, gender, religion, culture and other social constructions,” Mweli said.
From 25 November to 10 December 2017, South Africans embark on the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, and continues to rally the nation under the theme: “Count Me In: Together Moving a Non-Violent South Africa Forward”.
Victims of violence and abuse have legal recourse against their perpetrators.
Support systems like a 24-hour Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) are in place for victims to report incidents of abuse.
The GBVCC toll-free number is 0800428428, alternatively SMS Please Call Me to *120* 7867#, or SMS Help to 31531 or Skype: HelpMeGBV. – SAnews.gov.za
