Nearly three decades since the global campaign of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence started, calls for more to be done to eradicate abuse against women and children continues to mount.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said despite the groundswell of public support for this campaign and many others like it, there was still unfortunately a long way from realising a world free of sexism, discrimination and violence against women and girls.
“Despite our best efforts, gender-based violence remains a feature of the lives of millions of women and girls around the world. The reality is that legislative and policy measures instituted by governments cannot alone rid us of this problem.
“The 16 days of activism campaign affirms the need for all sectors of society to play their part in the fight against gender-based violence.
“As we begin the activism campaign on Wednesday, let us remember that we all share a common goal: to turn the tide on this scourge. Let us continue in the spirit of mutual respect and partnership to make this year’s campaign one that that makes a difference.”
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This year, saw several gruesome murders of women and children in Pretoria, the most recent one of a woman killed in Atteridgeville allegedly by her boyfriend.
According to the Tshwane community and social development services MMC Thabisile Vilakazi, the woman was attacked at her home.
Police are investigating the circumstances around the murder.
In June, resident Evelyn de Kock (42) was found stabbed to death and her body left in an outside room in Eersterust. Her partner, Clayton Andrews, was arrested in connection with her murder.
Also in June, four-year-old Bandile Skosana’s body was found under a big rock in Rethabiseng, Bronkhorstspruit, with more than 14 stab wounds.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Women’s economic justice for a non-violent and non-sexist South Africa.”
It will be officially launched by minister in the presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on Tuesday.
The 16 days campaign is a global campaign which takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of no Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
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There are many different kinds of violence against women and children, including domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and female circumcision or the cultural cutting of female genitalia.
The most commonly known form of abuse is physical abuse which can take the form of domestic violence or disturbing violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape and assault.
It is abuse when someone intentionally hurts a woman’s body or feelings. It is abuse when someone damages a woman’s property or belongings, follows her around, or threatens her or her children. It is also a form of abuse if someone tries to control a woman’s money, time, resources or her freedom.
Less known and discussed is the emotional violence many women and children suffer daily. Emotional abuse can be just as destructive and damaging as physical abuse, and can severely impact a victim’s mental health. It’s common for physical abusers to emotionally abuse their victims as a way of maintaining power and control.
Emotional abuse can take place in the home, at work, at schools, in our streets and communities. Another terrible part of violence against women and children in South Africa is the violence of poverty, hunger and the loss of dignity that prevails as a result.
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