‘Violence against women and children in South Africa can and must be ended’

JOHANNESBURG – The South African Medical Research Council and Joburg Social Welfare say that violence against women and children can be ended, as 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is observed.

December 2, 2017

Tshepiso Mametela 1 minute read

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children advocates, among other things, for children to be protected from abuse.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness and to educate people about how society’s most vulnerable members are affected.

Held every year from 25 November to 10 December, the campaign is also an opportunity to examine how these issues can be addressed as women and children are especially vulnerable to abuse, according to the Joburg Child Welfare – a non-profit organisation that specialises in the provision of a range of direct services to abused, abandoned, neglected, orphaned and vulnerable children, including those who are infected or have been affected by HIV/Aids.

Violence can take various forms, including physical, emotional and sexual. Such acts often go unreported and even when they are, a number of cases are not taken further. However, despite efforts to end the scourge, it remains one of society’s most predominant ills.

Statistics from the SA Medical Research Council suggests that at least three women in South Africa are killed by their intimate partners daily.

“The scourge can be ended but largely depends on our ability to address social norms that encourage sexual entitlement of men to women. It is one of the main factors that drive this epidemic,” said Naeemah Abrahams, deputy unit director at the council in Cape Town.

Carol Bews, assistant director at Joburg Child Welfare, said that ending violence against women and children would be a monumental task. “Violence against women and children has escalated tremendously and I think many children and many women experience it frequently.

“It’s something they should not be subjected to, but if we really want to have a society that functions well, we all need to shake hands and do something about it.”