Campaign for no violence against women and children kicks off [Video]

SOUTH Durban residents benefited from an educational programme on the signs and effects of gender-based violence to kickstart the 16 Days of Activism for Non-Violence against Women and Children Campaign.

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The informative commemorative event, which was hosted by the Merebank Clinic, was held in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the Blind, MediSkills Academy and the Merebank Community Policing Sub-forum.

Chairperson of the Merebank Clinic board Rishi Sewsunker said there are many different services the clinic provides, but the event was on the top of the list as one of the most important services to the community as there are many people who do not know how to identify abuse or find help.

“We believe there is no fixed platform to stop gender-based violence. We are thankful to have had the support of many different organisations, which joined to create awareness of the signs and types of abuse, as well as directed people to the right places where help can be found.

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“Learners from surrounding schools also joined the programme, and amazingly, a learner could teach us something to modify our lives for the better. We believe that we can help turn the statistics of gender-based violence around through educational initiatives such as these,” said Sewsunker.

Did you know?
• The 16 Days of Activism for Non-Violence against Women and Children Campaign is held annually from November 25 to December 10.
• The annual international campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
• In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations launched the Unite global campaign in 2008 in an attempt to end violence against women by 2030.
• Every year, the Unite campaign focuses on a specific theme, and this year’s is ‘Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls’.
• The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year’s campaign also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

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