Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi led the official provincial campaign launch to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children in Soweto.
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Premier Lesufi who was joined by the MECs for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and Social Development, Agriculture and Rural Development Mbali Hlophe outlined plans on how the province will observe the 16 Days.
The annual campaign which runs from 25 November to December 10 will host a series of interventions aimed at dealing with Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which is declared a national crisis by government.
In his key note address, the premier said that the Gauteng government would declare war on violence on women and children.
“Through the national strategic plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide, we as the Gauteng government are ready to confront these animals head one.
“We are prepared to leave no stone unturned to ensure that they account for their actions.
“The only way we can empower people to fight against these monsters is to adhere to this year’s theme, that we need to empower women economically so that they can stand on their own,” he said.
Lusufi noted that the Gauteng province would be taking steps to empower women owned businesses and young people in the township -through the implementation of the township economic development act. This would also be in line with this year’s theme which seeks to empower women through economic access and empowerment.
“From now on as Gauteng government, we will only buy major products from township businesses to empower our townships.
“We must be specific that those businesses must be trained and given money to start their businesses.
“As part of our commitment, we are making available R650 million immediately so that our people can start businesses,” he said to loud cheers.
He said this was to respond to victims and survivors of GBV and broaden access to justice for survivors as well as ensure economically opportunities.
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Amongst the measures outlined by the premier, he said every ward must have a police patrol car operating 24 hrs and introduce e-panic button for every household that will alert police in the case of an emergency.
The big announcement of his address was that the Gauteng province plans to recruit 6000 police men to be deployed in the township and a further six brand new helicopters that would be introduced. This he said would be to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and victims aided in a quick turnaround time.
“We are here to say one thing and one thing only that we are tired that our women and children, are victims of crime and violence.
“We stand here to say let’s pursued those that think the bodies of women is their play ground to stop doing that.”
Recent stats released by the Minister of police indicated that the last three months, 1000 women were killed, 3000 women were victims of assault while 1277 women were victims of attempted murder.
In 2019, President Ramaphosa the implementation of the Emergency Response Action plan on Gender-based violence and femicid which was in response to the high number of violent crime on women and children in the country.
