16 Days of Activism against women and children violence

Background

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and in South Africa December 10, Human Rights Day.

South Africa

Although the global campaign focuses on violence against women only, South Africa added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country.

South Africa is still home to high levels of violence against its women and children, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguard women’s rights. During this time, the South African Government runs a 16 Days of Activism Campaign to make people aware of the negative impact of violence on women and children and to act against abuse. We are firmly committed to lead a coordinated effort to sustain the campaign into its next decade.

2009 marks the 10-year anniversary of the 16 Days Campaign in South Africa. In South Africa, the campaign focuses on the abuse of women and children, which are reinforced by the year long 365 Days Programme.
Every year, government, civil-society organisations and the business sector work together to broaden the impact of the campaign. By supporting this campaign, thousands of South Africans have also helped to increase awareness of abuse and build support for victims and survivors of abuse.

White Ribbon

The white ribbon, symbolises the commitment of the wearer to “never commit or condone violence against women and children, and to speak out about violence where they see it.”

Sources:

http://www.womensnet.org.za/campaign/16-days-activism-against-gender-violence
http://www.southafrica.info/public_services/citizens/your_rights/16days.htm
http://www.info.gov.za/events/national/16days.htm

National Women’s Day – 9th August 2009

National Women’s Day is an annual public holiday in South Africa on August 9. This commemorates the national march of women on this day in 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the ‘pass’, special identification documents which curtailed an African’s freedom of movement during the apartheid era.

On August 9 in 1956, 20 000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act (commonly known as the pass laws that required people of colour to carry identity documentation to prove that they were allowed to enter a ‘white’s only’ area) of 1950. They left petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at the prime minister J.G. Strijdom’s office door. Four women led the march they were Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophy Williams and Lilian Ngoyi

They sang freedom songs including the well-known, powerful

‘When you strike a woman, you strike a rock’ ‘Wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbokodo’

Since 1994 August 9 is commemorated annually and is known as Women’s Day in South Africa. IN 2006 a reenactment of the march was staged for this 50th anniversary, with many of the 1956 march veterans attending.

The Interfaith Women’s Breakfast – 12th August 2009

Women from all walks of life, and different faiths gathered for a breakfast at The Temple of David at Overport. Guest speakers spoke about their experiences and how their faith link with their careers; Christians, Hindu, Bhuddism, Muslim and Jews.

It was interesting listening to the stories shared by these phenomenal women, how they survive all the prejudices of the society especially the minority beliefs.