16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR NO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN – Department of Community Safety and Transport Management

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR NO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

KEY MESSAGES

BRIEF:

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign will take place between 25 November and 10 December 2024 under the theme: “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children”. The theme focuses on prevention and economic empowerment to foster financial independence and resilience. This year’s campaign emphasizes addressing the root causes of GBVF, promoting positive masculinity, promoting gender equity, and creating economic opportunities for women and children. At its core, the theme aims to accelerate and amplify multisectoral and whole-of-society accountability.

Sub-Theme: “Harnessing Technology and Innovation to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Accelerate a Gender Inclusive Digital Economy.” The sub-theme focuses on the integration of gender perspectives in the digital economy, exploring the potential of new technologies to prevent and respond to GBVF and fostering a zero-tolerance attitude towards GBV in online and digital spaces.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. Over the years, the campaign has raised awareness of the devastating impact that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has on women and children, and the social fabric of our society.

The 2024 campaign will be launched on 25 November 2024 in the North-West. The 16 Days campaign forms part of the government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

In an effort to address the scourge of GBVF government adopted the National Strategic Plan (NSP) in 2020 which is being implemented by all sectors of society. Through the plan, we continue to work in partnership with the government and its agencies, independent institutions, civil society, development partners and businesses to address the high levels of GBVF.

This year’s campaign emphasises addressing the root causes of GBVF, while promoting positive masculinity and gender equity, along with creating economic opportunities for women and children. Moreover, it affirms the importance of an all-of-society approach to combatting GBVF and the importance of multisectoral accountability.

The campaign aligns with the annual United Nations campaign from 25 November (International Day of No Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Other key commemorative days observed annually during these 16 days include World Aids Day on 1 December 2024 and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2024.

KEY MESSAGES SUPPORTING STATEMENTS
Your actions today can end GBVF.
• The 16 Days Campaign mobilises all sectors of society in collaborative action and responsibility towards ending GBVF.
• The campaign places a specific emphasis on targeted interventions and practical steps towards the eradication of GBVF.
• It is a call to action to challenge attitudes and stereotypes that perpetuate gender-based violence and femicide.
• We must also challenge cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequalities and the abuse of women and children at both a personal and societal level.
• Become part of the solution and report all incidents of rape and abuse of vulnerable groups, especially children, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
• Act now and stop the cycle of violence and abuse, perpetrators of violence against women and children are repeat offenders who have gotten away with it before.
• Report suspected abuse to your nearest social worker or police station or call the toll-free Crime Stop number: 086 00 10111.
• Victims of violence are encouraged to use the 24-Hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre hotline 0800 428 428 to report any abuse.
Partnerships are key in the fight against GBVF. ·
GBVF is a societal problem, and we need the help of everyone to resolve it.
· Our collective actions are key to ending GBVF, and the partnerships we have formed are helping to create a safer South Africa for all.
· Together we must challenge negative social norms and behaviours that perpetuate gender-based violence.
· We must have conversations on toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and misogyny which are often the underlying causes of all forms of abuse and harassment of women and girls.
· The culture of silence kills and allows for sexual harassment, abuse and patriarchal practices to continue unabated.
· The National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide has ensured a concerted effort in the fight against GBVF.
· President assented to the National Council on GBVF Act No.9 of 2024 which establishes the multi-sectoral coordinating body to lead and give oversight in all country interventions against GBVF.
Gender-based violence is receiving government’s highest attention.
· The Presidency has taken the lead in ensuring that the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide is institutionalised across all organs of state.
· Government departments submit monthly reports to the Presidency outlining their respective achievements towards the targets set in the plan.
· This has allowed government to closely track progress in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
· An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been established to coordinate the implementation thereof and reports regularly to Cabinet.
· To strengthen intergovernmental coordination and implementation the IMC has been extended to include central institutions such as Basic Education, National Prosecuting Authority, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and health.
· Government is making progress in establishing dedicated desks at police stations with specifically trained police officers to provide victim-centred assistance and support.
· A total of 1 115 (100%) GBV desks established in police stations across the nine provinces.
· 1 162 (100%) police stations out of 1 160 have victim friendly services that meet the SAPS quality dimensions
· We are encouraged by the quick arrests that are regularly being made while the courts have also taken a tough stance against perpetrators of GBVF.
· Continuous marketing of the GBV Command Centre resulted in approximately 96 980 victims of violence and crime accessing psychosocial support through the GBV Command Centre.
· Out of 52 districts in the country, only 44 districts have shelters. Established 3 Khuseleka Centres.
Men are called on to step up in the fight against GBVF
• We appeal to the men of our nation to take a stand and play their part in ending the scourge of violence.
• Men must lead in speaking out and reporting gender-based violence, while also supporting peer education and prevention efforts.
• We encourage men to come together to pledge to never rape a woman, lay a hand on a woman and hold one another accountable.
• Men can also play a more formative and present role in their families, particularly in raising their sons to be respectful of women.
• We call on the men of our nation to take a stand against GBVF by signing the pledge against GBVF.
• The pledge can be accessed online https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/endGBVF/take-the-pledge
• In signing the pledge, you are joining other men across the country who are making a personal commitment to end all forms of violence against women and children.
• In taking a collective stand against all forms of violence against women and children, we contribute to creating a better nation for all.
• We encourage business, community and faith-based organisations to promote the pledge as we advocate for behaviour change in dealing with the challenge of GBVF.
The economic empowerment of women is at the heart of efforts to fight against GBVF.
· Economic empowerment is one of the most powerful routes for women to achieve their potential and advance their rights.
· A significant portion of funds from the National Strategic Plan has been committed to advancing the empowerment of women through procurement, business support and access to economic opportunities.
· By improving the economic circumstances of women, we are reducing their vulnerability to abuse and violence.
· Women’s economic resilience will enable them to walk away from situations that make them vulnerable to GBVF, and to take control of their own lives and that of their children.
· We are driving the economic inclusion of women through public procurement by setting aside at least 40 percent of goods and services procured by public entities for women-owned businesses.
Those who hurt the most vulnerable in society have no place to hide.

· In 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law three pieces of legislation to strengthen the criminal justice system, promote accountability across the state and support survivors.
· The enacted new laws are:
· The new laws enhance protection for victims of gender-based violence and crack down on perpetrators.
· Convicted sex offenders must be registered on the National Register for Sex Offenders.
· Protection orders may now be obtained online.
· Bail will now be denied unless the court is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist for release on bail.
· As of April 2022, 116 regional courts were upgraded to Sexual Offences Courts.
· A sexual offences court is defined as a regional court that deals exclusively with cases of sexual offences.
· National Strategy for Domestic Violence Support Services developed
· Safety Plan for Survivors amended and approved
· Integrated Electronic Repository for Domestic Violence Order developed
· Online Applications for Protection Orders in piloting phase
· Appointment of intermediaries – target achieved
· 68 Courts upgraded to the Minimum Standards for the National Strategy on Reasonable Accommodations for Access to Justice for Court Users with Disabilities
· Final phase of Femicide Watch developed
· Developed category of crimes constituting GBV
· The National Policy Framework on the Management of Sexual Offences Matters has been developed
· About 3500 investigating officers received specialised training on Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual crimes.
· At least 12 public buildings have been renovated and repurposed as shelters and police stations have been capacitated with sexual assault evidence kits.
· We have increased the number of shelters and care centres for survivors and improved the capacity of our police to deal with crimes of gender-based violence.

Thuthuzela Care Centres provide support to victims and/or survivors of GBVF.

16 Days of Activism Key Messages 2024