South Africa: Million Men's March to Highlight 16 Days

November 19, 2007 – (AllAfrica) The planned Million Men marches scheduled to be held across the country during 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, will be the highlight of the campaign.

The marches across the nation would indicate men and boys stance against violence directed at women and children, said Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government Nomatyala Hangana, who is also the convener of the campaign.

Addressing the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday, Deputy Minister Hangana said this will further highlight the fact that violence against women and children is not only a women's issue, but a societal issue that concerns everybody.

The 16 Days campaign is an annual event that takes place from 25 November to 10 December. This year's main event will be held in Bloemfontein, Free State.

The South African government has been actively involved in the campaign since 1999, running a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to violence against children.

According to Deputy Minister Hangana, Government has created an extensive policy and legislative framework that would not tolerate violent abuse of women and children.

The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 and the Sexual Offenders Bill reaffirm the rights of women and children to live in a violence-free society, she said. "This legislation will provide greater protection to vulnerable persons who are victims of sexual offences," she said.

"More and more South Africans are heeding the national call to fight against women and child abuse and the level of awareness for the campaign is growing." In this regard, efforts have been made by government and its partners to translate the 16 Days of Activism Campaign into a sustainable 365 Days of Action.

According to government, the Million Men's march will ensure the mobilisation of more men and the boy children into the campaign. Research conducted has shown that the level of awareness of the 16 Days Campaign has grown from 16 percent in 2003 to 33 percent in 2006.

This, according to government, the abuse of women and children in the country still remains unacceptably high. The primary purpose of the campaign is to generate an increased level of awareness amongst South Africans pertaining to the incidence of violence perpetuated against women and children and how it manifests itself within South African society and the negative impact in vulnerable groups.

Also as part of the campaign, last week government lit the Torch of Peace, which symbolises the lifecycle of a number of government campaigns.

The torch will remain lit for the duration of the 16 Days campaign at the Union Buildings. As the Torch of Peace travels through the different departments, it is intended through some of their campaigns to instil a strong sense of humanity, preserve lives and avoid violence, crime and accidents wherever possible.

The torch will at the end of the campaign, be handed over to the transport department for the duration of the festive season Arrive Live road safety campaign.

From:http://allafrica.com/stories/200711190676.html