Pretoria - The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, has appealed to communities to be extra vigilant against acts of abuse towards vulnerable members of society during the festive period.
Xingwana said on Friday although the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign had ended on 10 December, this “did not mean that activism must stop”.
“We are in a season where a lot of people are taking a well-deserved rest reflecting on the year that was and hopefully planning ahead. Sadly, this is also a season where, as families and friends are gathering at various festive activities, there is a lot of substance and alcohol abuse, which often than not leads to abusive behaviour,” said the minister.
Recently there have been many cases of abuse involving women and children that have been dominating the headlines. Just this week, a 33-year-old mother of three, in Blikkiesdorp in the Western Cape, attempted to sell her five-month old baby for R40 to allegedly buy alcohol.
A community member called social workers and the police, which led to the arrest of the woman and the rescuing of the baby and two other young children.
“The good Samaritan deserves to be praised for her bravery. She is an example of what can be achieved when members of society play an active role in combating criminal acts,” said Xingwana.
She appealed to parents, guardians and communities to continue protecting children by exercising responsible parenting.
The minister furthermore wished all South Africans a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year urging them to take up the mantle of fighting abuse in communities by not looking away but acting against abuse or abusive behaviour wherever it manifests. – SAnews.gov.za
