​As we mark the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign between (25 November to 10 December), the Gauteng Provincial Government has called on men to be at the forefront of the war against gender-based violence and the abuse of children.
Gauteng Provincial Government, MEC Faith Mazibuko was speaking outside Diepkloof police station in Soweto, urged men to join all sectors of society and lead campaigns against violence directed to women and children.

Mazibuko added that such campaigns should be daily if possible, in every corner of the province.

She said partnerships with LGBTIQ+ community and other government departments to fight the scourge of gender-based violence another pandemic besides the coronavirus is important. Mazibuko however, emphasized that the violence against women was not new.

“Even before COVID-19 hit us, thousands of women and girls were abused by their intimate partners. The COVID-19 pandemic has just increased the violence, as support services faltered and accessing help became harder.”

She said government was doing everything in their power to end GBV, however, warned that government won’t win the battle alone.

Mazibuko also warned members of the police who are not taking issues of gender-based violence serious saying theirs is not judge but to help victims who came to open a case against perpetrators.

“I urge our communities to join hands in fighting this heinous crime. The intolerance and disdain to people who are of a different sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression is appalling, and our justice system must deal decisively with those continue to commit such crimes”

Speaking on behalf of LGBTIQ+ community media personality and radio host Bujy Bikwa pleaded with government to help put a stop to the killings of women, children and LGBTIQ+ community.

Bikwa pleaded with the authorities to respect the rights of their members when they open cases. He added that the justice system must serve everyone equally as articulated in the country’s constitution without bringing issues of sexual orientation.

“If a victim come to open a case and that person identify themselves as a male or female that particular person should be treated as such and must be protected”, said Bikwa.

He said gender-based violence affect everybody and it is everyone’s responsibility to end it.

Anti-gender-based violence activists and civil society organisations together with members of the LGBTIQ+ community held a march around the streets of Diepkloof calling for the end of gender-based violence.

Several awareness campaigns on no violence against women and children are planned by various state departments and civil society organizations in the next two weeks.