Ermelo - As the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign drew to a close on Saturday, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has warned that government would not rest until justice is done.
Speaking at Chrissiesmeer, Motlanthe said the event should serve as a reminder that the end of the 16 Days Campaign is not the final destination in government's efforts to fight violence and abuse against vulnerable groups.
"This is only the beginning of the reflective stages of our call to action for a non-violent society ... as we reflect on the success of the campaign, it is important that we send out a clear message to those who seek to prey on the disabled, women, children and the elderly, that we will not rest easy until justice is not done but is also seen to be done."
He further challenged men to stand up and be counted among those who will not allow criminal perversion and violence to mar the social landscape of society.
"We must do so because this scourge of violence slowly threatens to deplete what is left of the moral fibre of our society ... no normal society can function when children cannot be left alone with their brothers, uncles or fathers," Motlanthe said.
He however, acknowledged that there is a growing number of men who are responsible fathers and husbands calling them to action and teach others that a non-sexiest world is achievable.
While noting that the country has the right policies and legislation in place to help government in the fight against violence of women and children, the country faces many and varied challenges.
"Through the promulgation of the Domestic Violence Act, the Children's Act and Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act, we have made significant progress in protecting those who suffer from domestic abuse.
"However, the statistics on gender-based violence continue to show a worrying increase in violent crime against women."
He emphasised that children are the country's tomorrow and investing in their protection, health and education is to take a claim in future as a nation.
The campaign takes place every year from 25 November which is an International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women to 10 December which is International Human Rights Day.
Although the global campaign focuses on violence against women only, South Africa added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country.
This theme for this year's campaign was "From peace in the home to peace in the world: proliferation of small arms and their role in domestic violence".
Among this year's development of the campaign included the establishment of a Council to End Violence Against Women and Children by Cabinet.
The council to be led by Motlanthe is going to coordinate a multi-sectoral response to the scourge and lead the implementation of the 365 Days of National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children.
Robert Masambo from Disabled People South Africa made a commitment for the organisation to work with government and civil society to ensure that the rights of women, children and people with disabilities are protected.
"We appreciate the laws that strive to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities to ensure that they participate as equal in society," he said.
