South Africa’s “gender machinery” is in “disarray”, with it not even being clear who is coordinating the 16 Days of Activism campaign, a group of NGOs said on Wednesday.
“At a time when it is most needed, participants noted, the national gender machinery is in disarray,” read a statement from Gender Links and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR).
“There is a lack of clarity on which agency is driving the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which used to be housed in the Department of Local Government, following the establishment of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities in April this year.
“The ministry has yet to hold a consultation with civil society organisations. There has also been a deafening silence on the status of the 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence adopted in March 2007 and coordinated by the National Prosecution Authority [NPA].”
They said there is also still no specific “domestic violence” category that would enable monitoring of the crime. They called on the government to resuscitate the 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence.
Their statement followed a three-day symposium convened by the CSVR under the banner “We can Prevent Violence”. They also called for the establishment of a special fund to end gender violence, in line with regional and international commitments.
In addition they called on Fifa to use the 2010 World Cup to send out strong messages in support of the campaign to end gender violence as well as HIV/Aids.
They said the 12% increase in reported rape cases to 71Â 500 from April 1 2008 to March 31 2009 may in part be due to the expanded definition of rape under the new Act. The figures are unacceptably high and likely to be understated due to under-reporting.
The government was also still “well behind” in reaching the target of 81 one-stop centres for addressing gender violence by 2010 provided for in the National Sexual Assault Policy.
The 16 days campaign takes place every year from November 25, the International Day of No Violence Against Women.
It runs until December 10, which is International Human Rights Day. — Sapa
View more on our special report on 16 days of activism.
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