ALMOST everyone will be alert for the next few days around issues of gender-based violence.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is an annual United Nations (UN) endorsed, awareness-raising campaign that began on 25 November and runs through until 10 December. South Africa adopted the 16 days campaign in 1998 as one of the intervention strategies towards creating a society free of violence. The campaign has also been extended to include issues relating to violence against children.
But what continues to be worrisome are reports that one wakes up to. Women and children are targeted in their homes, streets, churches, schools, parks and everywhere else. There is no place to hide for vulnerable groups. Just last week a teacher in Ivory Park was arrested for raping a Grade 7 pupil, this leaves a lot to be desired.
A school is meant to be a place of learning and is supposed to be associated with safety. No parent imagines that their offspring will be preyed upon by those entrusted with safety, such as educators.
Teachers are not only viewed as educators but also as guardians in the absence of parents. If teachers become the ones who abuse children, one can only cry our beloved country.
This is but one example of the society we now find ourselves in. It is a clear indication that we are slowly losing trust in everyone and we can only rebuild society if we can go back to fundamental basics of ubuntu, where we become each other’s keeper. We need to be a society that is fond of its vulnerable groups such as children, women, people living with disabilities and the elderly. It is in the best interests of everyone to ensure that we live in spaces that are free from gender-based violence and crime.
Let us all remember, none of us is immune to being a victim of such; don’t wait for any form of gender-based violence to be committed against you, before you act. Let us all take it upon ourselves to ensure that we observe this campaign every day and act against any violence against women and children 24/7.
