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The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Ms Susan Shabangu and other
Ministers and Deputy Ministers present,
The Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mr Mondli Gungubele,
Councillors, religious leaders, representatives of non-governmental and community
organisations,
The community of Ekurhuleni and surroundings,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good day, dumelang, sanibonani.
We are happy to join you today to launch this important campaign.
Each year, South Africa marks the campaign of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence
against Women and Children between 25 November and 10 December.
This year the campaign will be held under the theme: Count Me In: Together Moving a
This campaign is aimed at highlighting all these forms of abuse and violence and to say
enough is enough.
As we mark 20 years of freedom and democracy, let us today make a commitment to
work together harder than ever before, make South Africa free of violence against
women and children.
Working together we want to bring an end to the attacks on women and children.
Working together we want South Africa to be safer for women and children.
This year, we are reaching out to men and boys. We encourage greater participation of
men in the campaign of preventing violence against women and children.
We urge young men and boys as well to commit themselves to become activists against
gender based violence.
We are focusing our message on men as well not because South African men are
abusive. It is because excluding men from participating actively in this campaign has
been a serious shortcoming. Men also have solutions to offer in fighting violence against
women and children.
All of us have a role to play. That is why the 2014 theme says Count me in.
As we move forward together, we should remind those suffering abuse and violence
that silence must end. Women and children who are victims of abuse must speak out.
We also remind women and children that nobody should make them feel guilty for
speaking out, even if the perpetrator is a family member. Children in particular need
particular care and assistance so that they can speak out and end the abuse.
Today we also want to send a clear message to the public. Abusers, murderers and
rapists have no place in our communities.
We must work with the police and the courts to ensure that these criminals are arrested
and convicted of crimes against women and children.
All cases of abuse, in both rural and urban areas must be reported to the authorities
and police for immediate action.
And indeed the police and the courts are making progress in fighting this scourge, with
the support of communities.
The South African Police Services Family violence, child protection and sexual offences
units have been doing good work.
The number of perpetrators receiving life sentences for violence against women and
children has been increasing. In the financial year 2010/2011, two hundred and ninety
nine perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment.
In the 2011/2012 financial year, the number of perpetrators sentenced to life rose to
three hundred and eighty nine.
These numbers have been steadily increasing to an extent that in the current financial
year, we have six hundred and forty five perpetrators serving life terms for committing
similar deeds.
In total, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two (1832) criminals have been
sentenced to life imprisonment since the year 2010.
Over and above these there are many others serving lengthy jail sentences.
We thank members of the community for their contribution to this success rate. Most
perpetrators are arrested and convicted because people report these cases, and also,
they come forward as witnesses.
We also thank women for their resilience.
It is not easy to go through the court process for women survivors, to face the
perpetrator again. But many do so and give many other women strength.
As part of our commitment to fight this scourge, the re-establishment of Sexual
Offences Courts continues to be prioritised.
Since inception in August 2013 to date, 31 regional courts have been upgraded into
sexual offences courtrooms compliant with the new Sexual Offences Courts Model.
Through these specialised courts, government intends to reduce the secondary trauma
often suffered by the victims.
The courts are also intended to reduce the turnaround time in the finalization of cases,
to improve the performance of witnesses, increase the conviction rate and most
importantly, contribute to the reduction of repeat offences.
We believe we are making progress as government in the fight against this scourge. But
much more needs to be done. And most of the work requires the support of
communities.
We cannot win this war working alone.
This is the society that the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and
Children hopes to achieve.
That society is achievable if we work together.
We appreciate the collaboration between Government and Non-Governmental
Organisations, Community Based Organizations, faith-based organizations, traditional
leadership and healers as well as the business sector in making everyday a safe and
violence free day.
We call for more partners to implement a more effective and rigorous plan of the 365
Days National Action Plan.
Let us make the theme of this year come alive. Let us work together, moving a nonviolent South Africa forward.
I thank you.