Violence Against Women
Source: The New Age
The No Violence against Women and Children campaign will be intensified in certain areas in the province.
The programme comes ahead of the UN 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children campaign which will begin on November 25 and run until December 10.
The campaign aims to rid society of abuse on a permanent basis, and raise awareness on the impact abuse and violence has on women and children.
The eThekwini executive council has decided that all 11 district municipalities will be observing this campaign and the affected areas with high numbers of rape, abuse and violence levelled against women and children will be the main focus.
"We are affirming an unwavering commitment to promote and protect the rights of women and children as fundamental beyond these 16 days.
"The council has resolved to intensify this campaign by hosting events in wards that have registered recent incidents of gender based violence.
"This is to ensure that civil society, private sector and men are mobilised to partner with government in it's efforts to eliminate gender based violence in a sustained and impact-full manner," council spokesperson Thamsanqa Ngwenya said.
The council will continuously monitor the campaign to evaluate and analyse the impact that this campaign has had in advancing protection of women and children against gender-based violence.
They have also requested a report be produced and evaluated detailing the effectiveness of the campaign.
IFP exco member Mdu Nkosi has applauded the move to request a report and also recognised the Edward Henry Pozyn fund-raising walk, scheduled for November 30 from Durban to Johannesburg, as a step forward in the campaign to fight violence and abuse against women and children.
"The 10 day walk is intended to raise funds to assist all the woman and children who are being neglected, abandoned and abused. As the IFP we truly support him (Pozyn) for his good intentions.
"We also applaud his contribution because the neglected people have nowhere to go and we are very happy to give a hand to Edward as he will be doing this walk," Nkosi said.
Proceeds from Pozyn's fund-raising event will go towards helping to build a shelter, buying clothes and food for those in need, as well as highlighting the conditions under which people who have been affected live.