The Norwood Community Policing Forum (CPF) headed a campaign to raise awareness around 16 Days of Activism.
The Norwood and Orange Grove community together with the Norwood Police Station took to the streets on December 1, to launch the police station’s 16 Days of Activism campaign.
According to the Presidency’s statement, The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is a United Nations campaign.
“This is held annually from November 25 (International Day for No Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). Other key commemorative days observed annually during these 16 days include World Aids Day on December 1, and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary since South Africa initiated the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. The 16 Days campaign focuses on raising awareness of the devastating impact that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has on women and children, and the social fabric of our society.
” Our aim is to work with our communities and saps in making sure that we protect the vulnerable. It doesn’t have to be 16 days but through out the year we need to raise awareness constantly,” said Norwood CPF Sector 4 chair Cebi Ngqinambi.
Speaking at Patterson Park, Lieutenant Colonel, Prince Mogaila said he was worried that the police station’s campaign was attended by mainly children of the community.
“Adults were supposed to be here with us but I believe marching through the streets this morning painted a picture and got the message across. The government has also taken the scourge of GBV seriously because the president has announced that if anyone ill-treats women and children it is considered a punishable crime.”
Mogaila urged children and the public to report any abuse to SAPS which operated 24 hours a day.
The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) representative, Muhluri Nkuna, said people, especially the youth, must be aware of their surroundings and guard their drinks from date rape drugs during this festive season.
“A date rape drug is any drug that can be used to assist in the execution of a sexual assault. Drugs that are used to facilitate rape have sedatives, may cause one to be in a state of unconsciousness or partial loss of memory.”
Date rape drugs are:
- Alcohol
- Gamma hydroxy-butyrate (known has GHB)
- Ketamine
- Rohypnol
Related Article: Rosebank College ready to take a stand against GBV
