Eliminating violence against women and children

This year’s theme is “Count Me In!”

The campaign runs from November 25 until December 10.

The purpose of the event was to emphasise the importance of individual and community activism, to end the violence against women and children.

Regional head of Justice and Correctional Services, Emily Dlamini, said the department commemorates the campaign every year.

Dlamini said there is no difference in the number of matters reported to police on women and child abuse, but there is an increase

“So, what is it that we, as stake holders, together with the police, will do to change and reduce the sketch of violence?” she asked.

“We need to educate ourselves, starting with the clerks who deal with domestic violence.”

She wants these people to deal with such matters with the necessary sensitivity they deserve.

“We are faced with the biggest challenge, where victims are turned away from courts and police stations,” she said.

“We need to coordinate change when it comes to such matters.

“We don’t want victims to suffer secondary victimisation at our own hands.

“Today we are going to educate the community about domestic violence, as we have seen cases where victims report the abuse and then later withdraw the charges.”

Director of legal services within the Department of Justice, Tshiliedzi Ramathikhathi, explained that the community has a role in stopping violence against women and children.

“People must stand up against violence, speak up and report these matters to the police,” he explained.

“We need to also deal with the traditional stereotypes among the community, where a husband would claim that if he paid lobola (bride price) for his wife, he has the right to do whatever he likes to her.”

Ramathikhiti said society needs to change this thinking and that no one has the right to beat up another person.

“Everyone has the right to dignity and safety,” he said.