Goal is to end gender-based violence, says Gauteng govt at start of 16 Days campaign
The Gauteng government launched the provincial chapter of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Soweto on Wednesday.
The event was held at the Dorothy Nyembe Park in Dobsonville where many bodies of victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are found.
Earlier this year, Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko revealed that more than 5000 cases of gender-based violence were opened in the province between March and April.
"First of all we want to prevent, there must be no violence in Gauteng, so our goal is to end gender-based violence and we need communities to ask themselves how they can assist,” said Ntombikayise Zulu, a chief director in Premier David Makhura’s office.
"We need to strengthen the justice system. Communities must make sure that it reports these crimes to assist the police and the courts. We also want to make sure that the economic empowerment of victims is institutionalised, so that they are not kept in relationships they don't want to be in.”
Zulu said it is important for victims to report gender-based violence to police to allow the criminal justice system to do its work.
A GBV response plan was also handed over to the various MECs.
