Keynote address by Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff during the national launch of 16 Days of Activism, Bloemfontein

Programme Director
Deputy Minister Hangana
Members of the Executive Council
Executive Mayors, Mayors and Councillors
Representatives of all sectors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

We have gathered here today to mark the beginning of 16 days in which we remind ourselves that the promotion and protection of human right is an integral part of government's plan. This morning we saw men taking a firm stand in the fight against women and child abuse.

We heard men pledging allegiance to government's cause of protecting women and children. It is indeed pleasing to see men showing condemnation of this repulsive behaviour performed by their fellows. We are really proud of them and encourage them to further engage other men to ensure that this scourge is completely eliminated.

Awareness around the 16 days campaign has increased remarkably but the challenge we are still facing is the high levels of the abuse of women and children. We are deeply disturbed by the media reports of incidents relating to the abuse and murders of women and children. We cannot shy away from the fact that some of these incidents are associated with other socio-economic factors.

We know that some women contract HIV because their partners refuse to practice safe sex. We have also heard of cases of marital rapes and our intention is to encourage women to report these cases as they are indicative of violation of their rights. Alcohol and drug abuse also play a role in gender-based violence. Some men abuse substances and use women and children as their punching bags or even fatally battering them. We condemn these acts and call upon the perpetrators of violent abuse to discontinue. Men must engage each other and find solutions to prevent this scourge.

Government has undeniably shown that it views this matter in a serious light. The right of women and children to live in violence-free society cannot be overemphasised. This is indicated by the move to extend the 16 days of Activism Campaign to 365 days. As we approach the festive season, we want men to remember that the campaign is still on and must be intensified during that period as more women are exposed to increased violence and risky behaviour.

Amongst the policies and legislations that government has developed to fight against women and child abuse, we acknowledge that we also need to strengthen our behaviour change programmes in order to curtail the spread of HIV and AIDS. This is as a result of the existing link between violence against women and HIV infection.

We are in the process of promulgating the Sexual Offences Bill which seeks to provide greater protection to vulnerable people who are victims of sexual offences. The bill also seeks to broaden the definition of sexual violence to ensure that once perpetrators are charged and convicted, they receive heavy sentences.

We hope to see drastic changes once the National Council of Provinces approves this bill. This and other acts will give a signal to offenders that we are serious about zero-tolerance on violent abuse. It is also an indication that we taking drastic measures to effectively deal with violence against women and children.

As we are renewing the pledge to fight against women and child abuse, we are again launching the Victim's Charter that will ensure that a comprehensive and integrated response is provided to victims of crime. Through this Charter, the rights of the victims will be protected; the police, prosecutors, social workers, parole officers, etc are compelled to treat everyone with respect and ensure that their needs are met.

We have an obligation to support and protect those defenceless women and children who have been abused and victimized. All of us need to be part of the processes and programmes which seek to address the abuse and victimisation of the vulnerable people. The inclusion of young men in this programme would ensure the inculcation of social values that support the human rights ethos of our Constitution. We need to instil in them the ethics that reject violence and embrace tolerance and respect for women. Their involvement in the fight against this awful behaviour would encourage them to expose violence and abuse in all in manifestations.

As we are gathered here today, we are in agreement that it is time for us to take action, time to do something positive and meaningful. Surely we are of the same opinion that the onslaught against women and children is a problem that must be addressed by the collective. Men have already indicated their stance and we believe that their action would not only end today with the march.

Through this campaign let us not only build awareness, but most importantly empower women and children to know their constitutional rights. Let us contribute to the restoration of the dignity and respect of the victims of gender violence. To further demonstrate the condemnation of violence against women and children, our courts have in recent months handed down stiff sentences to those accused of violence against women and children.

I am pleased that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has undertaken to offer specialised training to police officers in order to efficiently and sensitively deal with cases of violence against women and children. The efforts of the Justice department to strengthen the police stations to deal with cases of abuse are applauded. The intention is to have units such as Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences in all the police stations.

We should remember that in order to overcome this scourge all sectors of our society should join hands with government. We need to forge strong partnerships that will enable us to expose and ultimately eradicate the occurrence of violence against our women and children. Let us all unite in fighting violence against women and children. Let us support government's initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly women, children, the elderly and the disabled.

As we launch this campaign, let it be a reminder of the commitment we made to build a caring and tolerant society. Let us deepen the debate around how to treat and protect the most vulnerable members of our society, including the disabled and the elderly.

Let us contribute towards the moral regeneration movement to ensure that we realise a unified, prosperous and progressive nation. Let's deepen the fight against these monstrous and barbaric acts. South Africans, let us renew the pledge to fight against women and child abuse.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
25 November 2007