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Parliament’s Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (MPWC) has noted with grave concern what appears to be an increase of gender-based violence incidents reported in the media.

The MPWC would like to condemn all acts of violence, especially gender-based violence and violence against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community.

Committee Chairperson, Ms Masefele Story Morutoa, said: “I would like to add my voice to the chorus of South Africans who have condemned gender-based violence. There is no place in our society for behavior like this. As a matter of urgency, we must look at how we intensify our response to eradicating such violence.

“It is encouraging to note that during this month of Women’s Month, the media has seemed to highlight the issue of gender-based violence. Although the MPWC supports this, it is imperative that the media reports on gender-based violence and violence against the LGBTI community as a matter of course, not only during Women’s Month, but throughout the year.”

Ms Morutoa further stated that gender-based violence knows no colour, religion, ethnic group, language or class. “The MPWC believes strongly that those who make themselves guilty of such acts should not be seen to be protected but must be dealt with in terms of the law, irrespective of any position they might hold in society. Everyone, including those who occupy positions of political office, must be taken to task if they engage in acts of gender-based violence.

The MPWC would like action to be taken not just to focus on punitive measures or rehabilitation, but to get to the root cause of the problem and by conscientising society and creating notions of masculinity that do not perpetuate a culture of violence.

“The MPWC would furthermore like to commit Parliament to engage in greater oversight measures over government departments to ensure that gender-based violence is rooted out. During this Women’s Month let us all stand together and fight gender-based violence and violence against the LGBTI community in honour of all those who have fallen prey to this societal ill. Let us stand together and say enough is enough,” said Ms Morutoa.

Issued by Parliament of the Republic of South Africa