Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
23 November, 2001
Minister Calls on the Public to Support the Crusade for Moral Regeneration by Joining the Men's March against Violence on Women and Children.
The Minister of Social Development Dr. Zola Skweyiya, has called on all South Africans of goodwill to get actively involved in the crusade for moral regeneration by joining the Men's March as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children which starts in Cape Town on the 25th November 2001.
"I urge all South Africans of goodwill to join the Men's March on the 25th November in Cape Town as well as the entire 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children campaign. This campaign constitutes a critical part of our nation crusade for moral regeneration which we so urgently need if we are to secure our future as a country and indeed build a better life for our people more especially women and children." said the Minister.
"Now more than ever before, we need to rise up and say enough is enough of this terrible treatment of our women and children. We call on men in particular, to join all initiatives undertaken within the confines of the law. Let us all work in partnership to make sure that in every home in a village; in every house in a township or suburb; and not least, in every work place or recreation centre, the message is made loud and clear, viz.
Give our women and children the love, care, respect and support they rightly deserve." Said the Minister.
The Minister was speaking on the eve of the 16 days of activism Against Violence on Women and Children which is a campaign organised by the government and civil society structures.
Those involved in the organisation of the campaign include among others; the Departments of Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the National Network on Violence against Women, Standard Bank, Shell and some media houses, the Office of the Status of Women in the Presidency, the Commission for Gender Equality, Women Demand Dignity, the Men's Forum, the Inter-Religious Faiths and the Moslem Judiciary.
Some of the participants in the Men's March include the Minister of Social Development Dr. Zola Skweyiya, Deputy Ministers, the Archbishop of Cape Town Njongonkulu Ndungane, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, sports luminaries, trade union and civic leaders and media representatives.
The March is scheduled to start at 12: 00 in Hartleyville Cape Town where to thousands of men and boys will march from Hartleyville and will then be met by thousands of women.
The marchers are expected to present a memorandum to the government and make a declaration against this scourge. Speeches will also be delivered in condemnation of the scourge of violence against women and children in our society.
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