EVERY year, around this time, we are reminded of the crisis that is gender-based violence in South Africa. With the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children in full swing, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) came together with representatives of civil society in KwaZulu-Natal, on November 27, and took to the streets of Durban to hold a peaceful march to submit a memorandum of demand, calling for an effective justice system.
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The march coincided with this year’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children’s theme of, ‘Accelerating actions to end gender-based violence and femicide: leaving no one behind’.
The march saw activist groups, such as Families South Africa (FAMSA), Child Welfare Durban & District, Open Door Crisis Centre and various other organisations, come together with one voice to call for change in the justice system and how they handle abuse cases.
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The march, which started at the Sasol garage on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, ended at the Durban Magistrate’s Court where AHF delivered a memorandum that addressed the national crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) and its intersection with public health and diseases.
The AHF said they were seeking to hold the government accountable.
“We say to the government and its respective directives that they are supposed to keep women and children safe. In 2019, the president launched the five-point plan in response to the high levels of GBV in the republic. Clearly, there’s still room for strengthening responses but also for encouraging the sensitisation of law enforcement officers,” said Kini Lubanyane of AHF.
The peaceful marchers arrived at the Durban Magistrate’s Court and were heard chanting and calling for an effective justice system when it comes to dealing with cases of gender-based violence.
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