The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children 2020 campaign, which ran from the 25 November to 10 December 2020, was launched under the theme: Women’s Economic Justice for a Non -Violent and Non-Sexist South Africa.
During the 16 Days campaign, the country also commemorated World Aids Day on December 1, and the International Day for Person’s living with Disabilities on the December 3, 2020.
The Cabinet decided that on the 25-29 November 2020, the nation flag will fly half –mast throughout the country from 06:00 to 18:00 as the nation embarked on five days of mourning to remember those who lost their lives as a result of COVID-19.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation said “during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, which is the second pandemic, we demonstrate our remembrance of all those who departed due to COVID-19, Gender Based Violence and Femicide”. He called upon all South- Africans to wear a black armband or other signs of mourning to signify our respect for those who have departed.
On the December 3, 2020, as part of showing support to victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV), the department’s Gender Transformation Unit, safety participants and officials distributed pamphlets on Gender Based Violence in the Kimberley CBD in order to create awareness, educate the public on GBV and to act against abuse.
The Gender Transformation Unit Manager, Ms Mase Mogorosi coordinated the event and was joined by Thuthuzela Centre Manager, Ms Zandisile Deyi, Civilian Oversight Manager, Ms Nomakhwezi Jonkers and Ms Estell Francis and Ms Shaheda Mohammed from the Kimberley Transport Association.
Ms Zandisile Deyi, who is at the coalface of GBV, gave us a chilling moment, when she said their monthly reports revealed that more children are being sexually abused than adults. Parents are too absorbed in their daily activities that they do not even know when their children are being abused, she further said if you go to some schools now, one would be shocked as to how many children have been sexually abused and yet parents do not even know.
She urged officials as parents to look out for any signs of abuse on their children and to unite against GBV as no one is safe.
The Thuthuzela Centre is a Non-Profit Organisation stationed at Galeshewe Day Hospital and provide victims with the necessary assistance and support and all government services are available in one central point, so that victims are not send from pillar to post, victims can access services such as counselling, testing, and victim support whilst Social Workers, South African Police Service (SAPS) and Nurses are also available at the centre.
MEC Nomandla Bloem and Head of Department, Mr Mooketsi Dichaba signed a Pledge to show ongoing support for victims of Gender Based Violence.