Source: TimesLIVE

"Violence against women is largely perpetrated because men regard women as possessions and sexual objects," African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart said in a statement on Sunday.

"It is this attitude which must change," he said. "Men can play the most active part in preventing violence against women.

"This is not a women's issue, it is a man's issue. VAW [violence against women] is interlaced with gender equality, and deeply ingrained in the attitudes of men".

Swart was commenting at the close of the 16 days of activism against gender violence.

During the ACDP's Vikiela [isiZulu for protect] campaign, it had highlighted 16 issues relating to violence against women, said Swart.

These include: trafficking, sexual harassment, child abuse, sugar daddies, abuse by teachers, substance abuse and VAW, HIV/Aids as a result of VAW, prostitution, domestic violence, corrective rape, rape by male nurses, ukhuthwala [abduction and forced marriage of girls who are frequently under-aged], rape and prison rape.

"Good men need to speak up every time they hear a woman being disrespected, objectified and violated even by words," said Swart.

"We can no longer enshrine a patriarchal culture nor condone violence with attitudes at the expense of our women."

• Tanzania