This week marks the start of an important period in our country and the rest of the world as we all commemorate the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.

This 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is a United Nations campaign that takes place from 25 November  (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

“We have seen some shocking and scary statistics in recent times relating to violence against women and children in South Africa released by the Minister of Police Bheki Cele and it is unacceptable to see how unsafe we as women and children are in our country,” laments Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director Jessica Motaung.

“Added to the statistics, the shocking number of children under the age of 14 and as young as 10 years old falling pregnant should be sending huge shock waves around the country and the world. We need to ensure the government and our police deal with the matter as this amounts to the rape of young children who become parents when they should be enjoying being children themselves.”

South Africa joined the campaign in 1998 as one of the strategic interventions to make South Africa a violence-free society. The theme for 2021 is “The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke – 16 Days of Activism – moving from awareness to accountability”.

“Violence against women and children (girls in particular) is a serious crime and we need the government to deal with it as an emergency. Let’s all as members of society put more efforts towards eradicating this problem so that we can live with no fear of victimization as women and our children,” says Motaung.

Let’s all take part by doing the following:

• Reject and report abusers- Act and don’t look away!
• Do not protect abusers, report them!
• Sign the Pledge Against Gender-Based Violence. Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser- Stop abuse.
• Challenge and denounce cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequalities
• Be sensitive and supportive to GBV victims – share helpful information and support causes near you.
• Seek personal help to change harmful behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse
• Teach children values of gender equality
• Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on internet and social media, including pornography, sexual solicitation
• Develop policies that prevent and deal with gender based violence in your sector, workplace and communities.
• Organise targeted community outreach and dialogues on solution towards a gender equal society.