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“From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism
and End Violence against Women” is apertinent theme for this year’s 16
Days of Activism Campaign. It is well documented that violence transfers
from the home and spills over into our society.

As the South Africa and the world mark 16 Days of Activism Campaign, the
African National Congress (ANC) Youth League calls on its members to
continue advocating for the respect and protection of women’s rights in
their communities. We should also practice what we preach.

South Africa worked hard over many years to attain ourdemocracy and equal
rights for all who live in the country; we cannot allow criminals to turn
us into a society where some members of our society live in perpetual
fear. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon once reported that, “Violence
against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country
and culture. It takes a devastating toll on women’s lives, on their
families, and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such
violence — yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly
condoned.”

The cover-up and condoning of such violence should not be allowed to
continue in South Africa. Regrettably there is agrowing new trend of
violence in the country.

In November this year the ANC Youth League learnt with shock about the
killing of a young woman at the Samora Machel informal settlement in the
Western Cape following an argument allegedly because of her sexual
orientation. This and corrective rape are the growing negative trends in
South Africa and we should condemn them with the disdain they deserve.

We appeal to all communities to work with the police to ensure that
perpetrators of violence against women are brought to book. Where the
police are failing them, they must escalate matters to relevant
authorities.
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