In an effort to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the Mpumalanga Provincial Government will lead the official launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign for no violence against women and children in Klarinet, eMalahleni Municipality on Friday 26 November.
The annual campaign seeks to stop incidents of GBVF in Mpumalanga and to mobilize communities to protect and support the victims.
The theme for this year is: “The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke- 16 Days of Activism- moving from awareness to accountability”.
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According to a statement released by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Klarinet has a high prevalent of GBVF cases and is in the vicinity of the Witbank Police Station, listed among the top 30 stations that contribute to the high statistics of GBVF in the country.
“The area became a gruesome scene of the abduction and murder of two young girls last year. The criminals were prosecuted and sentenced to life sentences by a High court sitting in Middleburg last month.
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“During the launch, the government will use the function to intensify the fight against the scourge through the mobilization of communities as key stakeholders for the fight, not only during this period but throughout the year. As part of the launch, the provincial government will hand over two furnished houses to victims of GBVF. Identified disadvantaged community members will also be provided with short term relief assistance from various departments such as school uniforms, food parcels, blankets, dignity packs, wheelchairs, garden equipment, educational toys and sports kit,” read the statement.