Sexual violence in SA among highest globally

Violence against women and children continues to dominate news, but stakeholders are determined to make an impact through the 16 Days of Activism Campaign which starts on Wednesday, Back from left are: Volvo round-the-world sailor, Michael Pammenter, with Daily News editor, Alan Dunn, and, front, from left, are Diakonia Council of Churches executive director, Nomabelu Mvambo-Dandala; Jes Foord, the founder of the Jes Foord Foundation; Maris Stella life orientation teacher and South African women's water polo player, Lee-Anne Keet; and life skills facilitator and Phoenix Light Group president, Saffura Khan. Picture: Gcina Ndwalane

Violence against women and children continues to dominate news, but stakeholders are determined to make an impact through the 16 Days of Activism Campaign which starts on Wednesday, Back from left are: Volvo round-the-world sailor, Michael Pammenter, with Daily News editor, Alan Dunn, and, front, from left, are Diakonia Council of Churches executive director, Nomabelu Mvambo-Dandala; Jes Foord, the founder of the Jes Foord Foundation; Maris Stella life orientation teacher and South African women's water polo player, Lee-Anne Keet; and life skills facilitator and Phoenix Light Group president, Saffura Khan. Picture: Gcina Ndwalane

Published Nov 24, 2015

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Durban -

The government, business, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and the media have joined hands in the drive to increase awareness of the impact of violence and abuse on women and children.

This is in the lead-up to the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, which starts tomorrow – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The campaign ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day, and includes World Aids Day on December 1 .

This year’s theme is: From Peace in the Home, to Peace in the World.

The rate of sexual violence in South Africa is among the highest in the world: an estimated 164 reported rape cases a day.

The campaign also challenges the perpetrators to change their behaviour with an ongoing focus to involve men in helping to eradicate violence.

The campaign also supports survivors with information on services and organisations that can help lessen the impact of violence.

Every day for the duration of the #16 Days campaign, the Daily News will run an article featuring influential men and women of KwaZulu-Natal, to find out their thoughts on the campaign.

Readers are also invited to wear black every Thursday, to support the initiative: “Thursdays in Black – towards a world without rape and violence”.

Campaign buttons and armbands are available from the offices of the Diakonia Council of Churches in Durban.

* E-mail your opinion to [email protected] and we will consider it for publication, or use our Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.

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