The ANC WL unreservedly supports the 16 days of activism against women and children. The 16 days commences on the 25th November 2003 – 10th December 2003.
The ANC WL will launch the campaign in Gauteng on the 23rd November 2003 at the Ivory Park Stadium. This will be followed by Imbizos in all provinces, listening to women on issues of violence against women, what the government has done on these issues and how do we further enrich our legislation in this regard. The campaign will end in Cape Town on the 10th December 2003 at the Guguletu Sports Complex.
This year as we observe the 16 days of activism, we also celebrate the achievements of a decade of freedom. We note that during this decade amongst other things, an office on the rights of the child and the office on the status of women were established. The establishment and the work of these offices has given rise to more and more women and children breaking the silence by openly and publicly talking about their experiences of violation.
We acknowledge that a lot is still to be done to break the silence by consistently leading campaigns against abuse of children and women.
We challenge our communities to join hands with us and break the silence by exposing perpetrators. It is our held view that these perpetrators are brothers, sisters, fathers and neighbors of somebody who must also break the silence and act as law-abiding and peace-loving South Africans. Neglected and at risk children are also neighbors, relatives and friends of somebody.
Join hands with the ANC WL and break the silence.
We support the community-based victim empowerment initiatives and challenge our members to play a leading role in this regard.
We call upon the police, prosecutors and magistrates to show zero-tolerance on all crimes against women and children.
We also call on our members and our people to wear white ribbons during the 16 days of activism as a symbol of ‘no violence’ against women. All women and children still leaving under the conditions of physical, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse need our unqualified support.
We therefore observe this period under the theme:
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BREAK THE SILENCE”
We acknowledge in our approach the existence of a legislative framework, which aims at protecting the well being and rights of women and children. We believe that a framework of ensuring that women rights are indeed human rights exists.
We also acknowledge an important role played by our civil society as partners in the fight against gender-based violence and instances where children have been victimized.
We commit ourselves to work and cooperate with our comrades in government in monitoring the impact of relevant legislation. We further commit ourselves to ensuring that all our members also participate in this campaign.
Our belief is that all men who are committed to justice and peace should be in the forefront of endeavors to stop abuse of children and women.
In line with the call of our 4th National Conference: “ Women Marching together into the African Century”, the 16 days of activism on No violence against women and children should be observed across the continent in this regard, elevating women’s rights and deepening its impact in the African Century.
As mothers, let us ensure that our boys are socialized differently to have respect for human rights.