16 Days of Activism campaign marks 25 years
The initiative raises awareness about the negative impact gender based-violence has on women and children.
THIS year marks the 25th anniversary since South Africa initiated the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
The campaign endorsed by the United Nations (UN) focuses on raising awareness about the devastating impact that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has on women and children, and the social fabric of society.
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It takes place annually from November 25 (International Day of No Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). This year’s campaign will be observed under the theme: “Accelerating actions to end gender-based violence and femicide: leaving no one behind”.
The South African government says the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP – GBVF) will be among the awareness activities to take centre stage during this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Meanwhile, releasing the quarter two crime statistics 2023/2024 last week, Police Minister Bheki Cele said police were succeeding in bringing to book perpetrators of GBVF.
The minister said the statistics show that between July and September this year sexual offences decreased by 35.9%, less women and children were killed, 1 514 incidents of attempted murder, involving female victims, were reported and females were victims in 14 401 Assault Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) incidents reported to the police.
He further stated that, in the same period, 293 children were killed and 361 incidents of attempted murder and 1 820 of Assault GBH were perpetrated against them.
The statistics also revealed that 10 516 rape incidents were reported to the police and 4 726 of them occurred at either the homes of the victims or homes of the perpetrators which were known to them such as a family member, a friend or a neighbour.
“The crime figures show that far too many women and children in this country are not safe around people that they know and trust and at times those that they love and in the places where they are supposed to be safe,” said Minister Cele.
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