22 November 1999
Hundreds of men and women are expected to march through the streets of Cato Manor on Sunday, 28 November 1999, as part of a campaign against Gender Violence. The campaign is an integrated effort of the Department of Justice, Cato Manor Development Association and Durban Children's Society. Participants will include Department of Welfare, members of the Cato Manor community, various NGOs and SAPS.
The march has been organised in recognition of International Day of No Violence Against Women (25 November 1999) and also marks the first anniversary of the "Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence" (25 November-10 December 1999). The focus of this year's programme will be "Breaking the cycle of Violence and Translating Commitments into Action".
Why Cato Manor?
Women and children have borne the greatest brunt in the disintegration of family life during South Africa's young democracy. Women have become victims of family and societal violence with incidence of such violence rising everyday to alarming proportions. Statistics show that South Africa has now become the rape capital of the world with one rape being committed every 26 seconds. Cato Manor reflects these statistics as proportionally higher than that of other areas in the KZN Province, hence the need to highlight the problem in this area.
The Department of Justice realises that to Break the Silence is not enough, but rather that the Cycle of Violence ought to be broken, hence, the theme "Breaking the Cycle". Men are an important element in breaking the cycle. While they are all not violent, the majority of cases reported, identify men as perpetrators of violence. Most women, for example, report Maintenance, which most men if not compelled by law, do not pay. Given this, the development of the Girl and Boy child is impaired further. The Justice Department is to vigorously promote the new Maintenance and Domestic Violence Acts, which are to be implemented on 26 November 1999 and 15 December 1999, respectively.
The role of Cato Manor Development Association(CMDA)
The Cato Manor Development Association (funded by the Reconstruction and Development Programme and the European Union), has since its inception in 1995, been responsible for the delivering of services, facilities and housing in Cato Manor. Provincial and local government, local residents amongst other institutions, are represented here. To date, a library, Community Hall, clinic, and schools have been constructed, with more developments on the way. Multi-skills training programmes amongst others are also offered. However, whilst the CMDA is striving towards an urban development, it also realises the current problems inherent in the community, that of gender violence. Hence, their pledge highlight the problem.
The Durban Children's Society has embarked on a project where women volunteers from Cato Manor would be trained as lay counsellors to victims of abuse. These lay counsellors will then provide a listening service, emotional support, basic couselling, referrals and a practical assistance to women from the area who have suffered abuse.
However, whilst such a support service is imperative in every community, there is a greater need to mobilise communities to bring attention to this growing problem. It is to this effect that the Committee on Gender Violence has organised a march through the streets of Cato Manor on 28 November 1999, to highlight the problem of Gender Violence. The March will commence at 10.00 am at the BP Garage (Bellair Road) and will culminate at the German Shepherd hall (SPCA Access Road) where a programme (approx 1hour ) has been arranged. The community of Chesterville will march from Booth Road and converge at the SPCA Access Road with the other participants.
We urge you to join us in our pledge. Show your support for the March against Gender Violence and give it the type of publicity it warrants.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE(KZN) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CATO MANOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND DURBAN CHILDREN'S SOCIETY.
22 NOVEMBER 1999
DURBAN
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ENQUIRIES:
Brigitte Shabalala/Rasiga Naicker
tel: 031-3015339
Department of Justice
Prakashni Moodley
tel: 031-3129313
Durban Children's Society
Fisani Mzimela
tel: 031-2616640
CatoManor Develop. Ass.