​Rofhiwa Marubini 
Women economic emancipation is imperative in ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) says Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
"We are fighting for women to get more economic empowerment to get access to that which makes them do the things they do best. Women's effective economic participation is integral in ending the scourge of GBV."
Nkoana-Mashabane was addressing hundreds who gathered during the launch of 16 days of activism campaign against Women and Children, in Pimville, Soweto on Thursday.
The minister said government is making strides in ensuring that women are given the opportunity to find economic freedom.
"Government is committed to taking tangible action to ensure that 2026 economic justice and rights are granted for women and the girl child," she said.
She further emphasised that South Africa should be observing or commemorating days of no violence throughout the entire year.
Meanwhile during the Gauteng provincial launch in Temba Hammanskraal, Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt-Gen, Elias Mawela called upon Gauteng men to work closer together to reclaim and redeem themselves from GBV.
Mawela said men who are misrepresenting the responsible ones should be dealt with decisively. 
"As I am standing here, I am representing men, and men who are misrepresenting us should be identified, isolated and dealt with decisively. As men we should do everything in our power to reduce the levels of crime in our province," said Mawela 
During the unveiling of the quarterly crime statistics report last week Friday, Minister of Police, Bheki Cele said Temba policing precinct has taken over Indanda in KwaZulu-Natal to be the rape capital.
Between July and September 2021, 74 rape cases were opened at Temba police station, which was 34 cases higher than the same period last year.
One of GBV survivors Pearl Notsikelelo Matseke said women should cherish themselves.
"As survivors of gender-based violence, women need to know that they are beautiful, strong and brave. They are "womb-man", which means there is a man who lives inside them which is God himself who protect them through everything, "said Matseke.