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Date: 07/12/2006
Source: Department of Social Development
Title: Benjamin: 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children


Speech by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Benjamin, during the ceremony to commemorate 16 Days of Activism in Badplaas (Mpumalanga province)

Programme Director
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom
MEC for Health and Social Services in Mpumalanga, Mr Pogisho Pasha
Executive Mayor of Albert Luthuli Local Municipality
Councillors
Traditional Leaders here present
Ladies and gentlemen

We are gathered here today to commemorate 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children. During this period communities around the world are engaged in various activities all aimed at raising a voice against the violation of rights of women and children. South Africa has been participating in the 16 Days of Activism Campaign since 1998 and has been using this period to raise public awareness on violence against women and children and to encourage behaviour change. The purpose of this campaign is to generate an increased awareness and to mobilise communities on prevention of violence against women and children.

Honourable Mayor of Badplaas, allow me to applaud you and your council for your initiative in the fight against violence on women and children. Your donation of a piece of land for the establishment of a permanent shelter for women and their children is greatly appreciated. It is true that better service delivery and better resource utilisation is through the synergy of the three tiers of government, as it is this case with this project.

South Africa has one of the highest per capita rates of reported rapes in the world. This is despite the fact that most of rape cases are not reported. According to Childline South Africa, there has been a huge increase of 400% in the number of reported cases of child abuse in South Africa over a period of ten years. The number of cases reported by Child Welfare Societies affiliated to the Council had increased by 62% from 2000 to 2002. What is more disturbing is that more than 51% of all cases fell into the category of sexual abuse. More than 69% of the victims were female. The results of the large-scale community based prevalence study that was conducted in three provinces also showed that at least 25% of women have experienced abuse in their lifetime.

Ladies and gentlemen, the sad reality of all is that these crimes, in some instances are committed against women and children in their own homes by people who are supposed to protect them. Women and children are the most treasured members of our society but they are continuously subjected to the most ruthless and horrendous crimes ever committed against humanity.

Women and girls are framed by social, cultural and economic context that continues to compromise their status and quality of life. Factors such as imbalances in gender relations, unemployment and high level of alcohol and substance abuse contribute to the high levels of victimisation of women and children in South Africa. Such situations make it difficult for women and girls to develop to their full potential and to fully contribute to economic development of this country and to the welfare of their families and the development of the society at large.

Let me reflect on violence against women and children as a contributing factor to the escalating infection rates amongst women. Women’s vulnerability to HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases is particularly heightened by their economic dependency on men, poverty, sexual exploitation and some cultural practices. According to UNAIDS, women make up the largest percentage of people living with HIV and AIDS all over the world. Vulnerability of women and the girl child to HIV and AIDS is further exacerbated by the fact that a large proportion of those who experience the harsh realities of poverty are women and children.

I also need to alert members here about another emerging form of violence against women and children, that is, trafficking in human beings, especially women and children. Most young girls are lured into being sexual slaves under the pretext of job opportunities. Babies and young girls are abducted and sold as sex slaves. We as communities need to be vigilant and be on the guard for perpetrators of such acts. Let us continuously and tirelessly alert our children and young girls about the dangers of associating with strangers and eating anything offered by strangers. This goes for both boys and girls.

Programme Director, I need to make it known that prevention of violence against the vulnerable groups of society, for example, women, children, people with disabilities and the older persons, is one of the priorities of the Department of Social Development. The Department of Social Development is also committed to the establishment of shelters for victims of domestic violence together with their children a living example is the commitment to the development of the Badplaas Shelter.

These shelters provide accommodation, safety, security and skill development to the victims who have nowhere else to stay except to be at the perpetrator’s home. The importance of creating awareness of the prescripts of the Domestic Violence Act as legislation for the protection and children against domestic violence cannot be over-emphasised. There is a dire shortage of shelters in the country. This is an area where the business sector could come on board to support the initiatives by Civil Society Organisations at grassroots level. The Department of Social Development has made available a Shelter Strategy to guide the development and management of shelters and this document has been distributed to all provincial departments of Social Development and other role players.

To this day ladies and gentlemen, we still reiterate that if South Africans, collectively, managed to overcome the worst form of violence against humanity, that is apartheid, it is the same collective effort we must apply to overcome violence against women and children. We need to truly affirm, and realise the "Age of Hope" as espoused by our President, the hope that we will uphold and protect the rights of women and children. We will affirm that we are a nation that does not hurt nor harm women and children.

We are also here to acknowledge the efforts by brave men and women of Albert Luthuli Municipality who did not look away when they saw the pain of women and children who are victims of domestic violence. These are the sons and daughters of Africa who are willingly carrying the torch into this "Age of Hope" with the aim of achieving a goal of a better life for all. These are people who did not fold their hands but took action in ensuring that a Victim Support Centre is established in Badplaas. The establishment of a shelter on these grounds will be a milestone of their efforts, a result of not looking away and willing.

I wish to commend men who have joined the struggle against gender-based violence. It is also essential to extend information to those million of men who have not joined the struggle yet and enlist their participation in the enhancement of gender equality, peace and family health. This will enable them to better understand and share responsibility for the prevention of violence, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV and AIDS, for the care of the young and for supporting and protecting the physical and psychological safety and well-being of their families.

In conclusion, I want to emphasise that the Department of Social Development will continue to work with the civil society organisations and other partners in ensuring the realisation of the aspiration of our government of creating peaceful communities and creating a better life for all. If you see, if you witness violence on women as well as children, act immediately, report immediately to the police, social workers, councillors and healthcare professionals.

I thank you

Issued by: Department of Social Development
7 December 2006

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