Premier to launch 16 Days campaign

EASTERN Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle will be in Humansdorp on November 25 to launch the provincial “16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children” campaign.

The event, which will be attended by dignitaries from across the province, will take place at the Kruisfontein Civic Centre in Humansdorp from 10am.

The launch will take the form of a dialogue. Mobile services will also be offered.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Count Me In: Together Moving a Non-Violent South Africa Forward”.

Acting Executive Mayor Vernon Stuurman said it was an honour for Kouga to be chosen to host the provincial launch.

“Combating the abuse of women and children lies close to the hearts of our people. We are blessed that our Premier and MECs are leading the charge and that they will be here, in Kouga, to show their support and bring hope to those whose lives are affected by abuse,” he said.

The 2014 campaign seeks to encourage greater participation of men in efforts to prevent violence against women and children. The aim is to inspire boys and men to take action and commit themselves to becoming activists against gender-based violence.

“Men need to stand up against the abuse of women and children. Kouga needs responsible father figures who will instill the values of human dignity, equality and respect in young men and boys,” said Kouga Women’s Caucus chairperson Thandeka Maseti.

“We further call on communities to work with the police, prosecutors and courts to make sure that perpetrators are arrested and convicted of crimes against women and children.

“The legislation is in place to hold abusers accountable and to protect victims. The challenge is for all of us to unite against unacceptable social behaviour and to break the cycle of violence.”    

The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from November 25 to December 10 annually. It is an international movement that was introduced to South Africa in 1999, making this the 16^th consecutive year that the country will join with concerned citizens across the globe to further the cause against gender-based violence.