16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children
WHAT IS THE 16 DAYS ACTIVISM?
- It is a WORLDWIDE Campaign to OPPOSE VIOLENCE against WOMEN and CHILDREN
- It aims to raise awareness of the NEGATIVE impact that VIOLENCE and ABUSE have on WOMEN and CHILDREN and to RID society of ABUSE PERMANENTLY
WHEN DOES THE CAMPAIGN TAKE PLACE?
- The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is held from 25 November to 10 December every year
- However, the success of this campaign rests on our daily individual and collective actions to safeguard our society against this cycle of abuse
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN?
It stems from the low status of women in the home and in society
It happens when men abuse POWER and positions of authority in order to CONTROL women and children
WHAT IS ABUSE?
Any form of behaviour that causes:
- fear
- bodily harm
- a person to do things against their will
EXAMPLES OF ABUSE:
DO YOU KNOW...
that Parliament has passed laws to protect the rights of individuals against abuse?
THEY ARE:
- The Domestic Violence Act of 1998
- The Children's Act of 2005
- The Maintenance Act of 1998
- The Promotion of Equity and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000
- The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act) Amendment Act of 2007
THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT
The role of Parliament includes the promotion of human dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism and the supremacy of the Constitution. Parliament upholds citizens’ human rights and oversees the implementation of constitutional imperatives. This includes, but is not limited to, passing of legislation that prevents or prohibits unfair discrimination to people based on race and gender.
The vision of Parliament confirms Parliament as the institution that transforms the entire society to be based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, which include women’s and children’s rights. With regard to this, Parliament has already made strides in passing legislation aimed at ending this scourge in society.
DON'T BE A VICTIM!
- BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE
- BREAK THE SILENCE
- KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
- ACT AGAINST ABUSE
- DO NOT LOOK AWAY!
KEY DATES TO OBSERVE IN THIS PERIOD:
- 25 November: International Day of No Violence Against Women
- 29 November: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
- 1 December: World Aids Day
- 3 December: International Day for the Disabled
- 10 December: International Human Rights Day