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Each year, 16 days are set aside around the world to raise awareness of gender and child violence and abuse. The theme of the 16 Days of Activism campaign this year is Don't look away; act against abuse.
 THE annual 16 Days of Activism campaign for no violence against women and children kicked off yesterday, under the theme, Don't look away; act against abuse.
Held each year from 25 November to 10 December, 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign aimed at raising awareness of and ending violence against women. The global campaign focuses specifically on women; in South Africa, children have been added.
The theme aims to give people the opportunity to speak out against abuse and gender and child violence, organise campaigns and raise awareness. The government, business, civil society organisations, state-owned enterprises, faith-based organisations and the media will all participate in the drive to increase this awareness.
Now in its ninth year, the campaign was officially launched at the Union Buildings, in Pretoria on Monday, 17 November by Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government Nomatyala Hangana, who said societal awareness of problems such as child abuse, domestic violence and violence against women in general had increased considerably.
"We have also, in the past, been able to expand campaign activities to the poorest and remotest communities, where such violence against women and children is prevalent," she said.
According to a study done by the Government Communication and Information System in 2007, 33 percent of South Africans were aware of the 16 Days campaign, compared to 16 percent in 2003. Since 1999, there has also been an incredible growth in partnership between the government and the private sector, with all parties throwing their full weight behind the initiative.
"The joint effort has enabled us to raise some of the required funds for a number of non-governmental and community-based organisations dealing with victims of gender violence and child abuse," said Hangana.
Among the achievements of the 16 Days campaign was getting more men to support the fight against violence directed at woman and children, which resulted in the Million Men March held in various provinces, with the main event held in Bloemfontein in November 2007.
Members of the public can pledge their support by volunteering to help non-governmental organisations and community groups that assist women and children; by donating money to related organisations; or by joining a community policing forum (CPF) or community safety forum (CSF) to help fight crime.
Information on how to join a CPF or a CSF is available at South African Police Service police stations. For more information on the 16 Days of Activism campaign, visit the website www.doc16days.gov.za.
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