FEDUSA Calls for Strategic Plan to Combat Gender Based Violence

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has called on the Department of Women and Children to implement a strategic plan to combat the scourge of gender based violence as the 2017 Campaign of 16 Days No Violence Against Women and Children gathers momentum.

While FEDUSA fully supports and shares in the sentiments expressed in previous years

that the campaign should be run for the entire year rather than just limited to 16 days, it is also keenly aware that instead of abating, violence against women and defenceless children has intensified; turned ugly and remains a serious problem in South Africa affecting millions of households.

  “Recently there has been increasing media reports of gruesome rapes and murders everywhere in our country from a 3 year old, the elderly, the LGBTI community, the teachers in and around the school/workplace, it is very clear that all women are at risk and it is now a matter of when and not whether violence against women and children will happen,” said Dorothy Ndhlovu, FEDUSA Vice President, Social Justice and Gender.

“These cases and the many more that occur each year, show that we are still a very long way from eradicating Gender based violence in South Africa.  This calls for everyone to call on the Department of Women to commit on a National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence as soon as possible”.

Ndhlovu says FEDUSA will be joining in the national commemorations of the 16 Days of Activism 2017 Campaign by holding dialogues and debates on what kind of a National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence should be introduced by the Department of Women and Children.

“We envisage a plan that will focus on better service delivery for victims of violence, the roll out of prevention programmes that should address the harmful gender norms and masculinity and equitable relationships amongst women and men,” she said.

ACTVITIES

“All members of FEDUSA and communities are urged to support the campaign by wearing the following as it will symbolise the support and commitment to never commit or condone violence against women or children: white ribbons as a symbol of peace and the end of violence against women and children; and the red ribbon for empathy with victims of HIV/AIDS”.

ENDS

(375 Words)

FEDUSA is the largest politically non-aligned trade union federation in South Africa and represents a diverse membership from a variety of sectors in industry.  See www.fedusa.org.za for more information.

For interviews please contact:

Dorothy Ndhlovu

FEDUSA Vice President Social Justice and Gender

083 800 5524

 Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

079 696 2625

Issued by:

Frank Nxumalo

FEDUSA Media and Research Officer

Cell: 072 637 8096