Speech by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele at the event marking the end of 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse held at Ixobho

Today we are marking the official end of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. But in reality, we continue the campaign against the abuse of our womenfolk and children as we begin 365 Days of Action Campaign. The 16 Days of Activism campaign is part of the international programme calling for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which started on November 25 and ended on 10 December 2007.

Every year during this period the whole world calls for an end to the rape of women, child abuse, sexual harassment and the emotional abuse of women. In South Africa we use this time to heighten the consciousness of all our people against violence on women and children. It must be stated again that we want to put an end to this violence on a permanent basis. These acts must never be allowed to resume after the 16 Days of Activism has come to its end. We want to say: Don't look Away: Act Against Women Abuse. Today we are also closing the commemoration of iNgcugce which has been a series commemorative events linked to the liberation, empowerment and leadership of women in various aspects of our history which we launched on 24 July 2007.

The nature of violence

According to the United Nations (UN), violence against women encompasses a wide range of abuses. These are "physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family and in the general community, battering, sexual abuse of children, dowry-related violence, rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women and violence related to exploitation, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women, forced prostitution, and violence perpetrated or condoned by the state."

Evidence of Abuse

When the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) looked at patterns, forms and prevalence of abuse against women and children, it concluded that the signposts are deeply troubling. In 2007 alone there were cases of violence and abuse, under the guise of cultural, traditional and religious beliefs.

The CGE cites the following cases, amongst many which have led to the loss of lives of women the:

* killing of iNkosi Nowanisi Ngubenani in Coffee Bay, Amathole District in the Eastern Cape,
* killing of four women because of allegations of witchcraft in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape,
* killing of lesbians in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng
* killing and dumping of bodies of 10 women in Shayamoya cane fields in Umzinto KwaZulu-Natal.

We also note incidents of abuse of women in T-Section in Umlazi Township in KwaZulu-Natal. Their crime is that they want to exercise their right to wear what they prefer to wear, including pants.

National response against abuse

Cultural and religious rights must respect the highest law of the land, the Constitution which contains the Bill of Rights. We are also signatories to international agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform of Action and others which enshrine the rights of women to dignity and freedom of expression.
The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 and the Sexual Offences Bill reaffirm the rights of women and children to live in a violence-free society. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster in our province is working towards strengthening all police stations by equipping them with specialised units i.e. Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units. This will ensure that all police stations get specialised units which will assist in preventing delays in the processing of cases reported.

Rolling out the KwaZulu-Natal campaign

This year the campaign is popularising the white ribbon as a symbol of personal and organisational commitment to the eradication against women and children. The white ribbon is a commitment never to commit or condone violence against women and children, and to speak out against violence where you see it. We are pleased that Men for Change from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the KwaZulu-Natal Men's Forum are leading change in this regard.

We also applaud the man who has won the Man Making a Difference Competition. We believe men and boys must be at the centre of the creation of a new society which respects women and protects its children. The Beijing Platform for Action emphasises the importance of equal partnership between women and men in all areas of social development. Men and boys, nezinsizwa are central to the elimination of gender-based violence working together with the women of this province. Men, you are encouraged to be more active advocates for gender equality through existing forums that I alluded to earlier. This forums are pivotal to assuring that we accord our women folk the dignity they deserve.

Creating a new morality

We therefore add our voice to the call for a permanent end to violence in the homes, violence in the workplace and in every sector of our society especially that which is directed at women and children. Today's event must reassert the right of women in Umlazi, Ixobho and elsewhere to choose whether or not they want to wear pants and be free to walk the streets of our townships and rural areas without fear of being harassed. Violence against women and children is a crime. Those who commit this violence will be caught and they will pay the price.

We cannot create this new society without the faith-based community and our traditional leaders who must lead the revival of the Moral Regeneration Movement in KwaZulu-Natal. Our young people must again be part of our scout movement as Girl Guides and Boys Scouts movements. These structures develop the moral cores of our young people so that they can grow up to be responsible adults who respect themselves, their neighbours and are loyal to their country. This movement will help us in our battle against teenage pregnancies, against the infection of our people with HIV. It is this movement which will build a society which does not commit or condone crime of all sorts in our communities. In this new society women and children will feel safer wherever they are, any time of day.

Protecting and Advancing Human Rights: KwaZulu-Natal Government

The Office of the Premier, working with the Provincial Human Rights Forum, has developed the KwaZulu-Natal Human Rights Framework. This framework will assist in monitoring the realisation of human rights for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. We stated in our Budget Vote speech early this year that the monitoring would be the responsibility of the Provincial Human Rights Forum.

We shall continue with Human Rights Education and Awareness Campaigns until such time that our people are in a position to claim their rights and report human rights violations to relevant authorities. The Office on the Rights of the Child has established the Advisory Council on Children's Rights. This has led to the establishment of the Intersectoral Technical Teams which are assisting in the fast-tracking of service delivery of the children's rights issues.

The Office on the Status of Women will continue to intervene in cases of women abuse and refer these to relevant authorities. We will act for 365 days of the year, 24hours a day against the abuse of women and children. We will not look away! We shall act!

Don't Look Away: Act Against Women Abuse. Don't Look Away: Act Against Child Abuse!

Masisukume Sakhe!