16 Days of Activism: ‘We must all take accountability’
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has launched South Africa’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Speaking in Pimville in Soweto, one of the 30 hotspots for gender-based violence, Nkoana-Mashabane paid tribute to many victims.
She used the example of the gruesome discovery of the body of the pregnant Tshegofatso Pule, who was killed and hung on a tree, as an example of the horrific scourge.
The campaign comes less than a week after Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed that 9 556 rape cases were opened between July and September 2021.
An increase of 634 cases from the previous year.
“This year we have had the opportunity to see the first rollout of the National strategic plan on gender-based violence. I would like us to focus on these pillars of the NSP; accountability, coordination, leadership, prevention, rebuilding social cohesion, protection, safety, justice, response, care, support, healing, and economic power,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.
She said accountability is paramount and everyone has a responsibility to not look away when women and children are abused.
“Next year when we meet, Soweto will no longer be on this top 30 list. We need accountability in all these spheres, we need to make sure GBV is history and we need a collaborative approach to do that.”
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