African National Congress

Parliamentary Caucus

ANC Caucus successfully launched 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence against Women and Children

25 November 2020

The ANC in Parliament today, 25 November 2020, successfully launched its 16 days of Activism Campaign in a Hybrid session to unpack the various activities that will be undertaken by ANC MPs in Constituencies starting today to 10 December 2020.

Given the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in the country, government is implementing the Emergency Response Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2019.

The 16 Days of Activism Campaign forms the centre point of government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. During the 16 Days period, Government together with civil society and the private sector, will host a series of community and sector dialogues and activities to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with GBVF.

The 2020 National Theme is “Women Economic Justice: Towards a Non-Violent and Non-Sexist South Africa”.

For the ANC Parliamentary Caucus, our Sub-theme for 16 Days of Activism is:

“An Activist ANC Caucus: Men as Change Agents for the Total elimination of Gender Based Violence and Femicide”

The Caucus #16DaysofActivism launch outlined the programmes that ANC MPs will undertake, not only during these 16 days, but on a weekly basis where Mondays and Fridays will be dedicated campaigns to address all issues related to Gender-based Violence and Femicide. Programmes planned by Caucus include but not limited to;

  • Lunch-time pickets outside courts, police stations, crime scenes in support of victims of Gender-based violence.
  • Constituency-based engagements with all stakeholders including the community, community leaders and traditional leadership.
  • Focus on the boy child and organise and host Men’s/Boys dialogue or camps to have conversations that will shape the mindset and behavior of boy children.
  • Identify and visit Thuthuzela Care Centres, Places of Safety for Abused Women, clinics, hospitals, police stations and others to assess the response to Gender-based violence cases.

Through this launch and the planned programme, the ANC Caucus seeks a buy-in and support for activities which are targeting Men and Boys in all Constituencies, especially the regions classified by South African Police Services as hotspots of gender-based violence in the country.

The aim of the programmes is to fully target young boys from school, young and older men and create a platform to make inputs on advancement of gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence.

The Caucus launch was also virtually attended and received messages of support from a representative from the LGBTQIA+ community, Deputy Chairperson of SANAC Steve Letsike, and a representative from the Disability Sector, Commissioner Mazibuko. ANC Caucus male MPs, led by the Chairperson of the Study Group on Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, signed a Pledge to End the Scourge of Gender-based Violence that read,

“As a Member of the ANC Caucus in Parliament, I recognise that violence against women and children is the manifestation of a profound lack of respect – a failure by us to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women and children and that it is a violation of their fundamental human rights.

I acknowledge the adverse effects violence has on the country.

I therefore commit to playing my part in ending Gender Based Violence and Femicide, by being a positive role model, a mentor and not allowing any form of violence to take place without doing something about it.

I commit to ensuring safer communities for women and children”.

The ANC in Parliament recognises that for South Africa to achieve social cohesion and end Gender-based Violence, we need to unite, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and disability, and work together to eradicate this injustice against our women and children.

The ANC Caucus urges all South Africans to heed the call and unite to fight the scourge of violence, abuse and femicide against women and children.

Issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, Hon. Pemmy Majodina

Enquiries:

Nomfanelo Kota
Acting Caucus Spokesperson
067 415 1089
nkota@parliament.gov.za
nomfanelok17@yahoo.com