‘From peace in the home to peace in the world’ - 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Today marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children abuse - this year under the theme, ‘From peace in the home to peace in the world. Let's challenge militarism and end violence against women'.

Officially recognised by the United Nations' December 17, 1999 resolution, the day is aimed at raising awareness against gender-based violence.

South Africa has added children in the campaign as a result of the prevalent abuse against children.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) reports that Interpol labels South Africa as the ‘rape capital of the world', where it is estimated that a woman is raped every seventeen (17) seconds.

Therefore, initiatives such as the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children Abuse are important to highlight such challenges and to mobilise all citizens to join in the fight against these social ills.

The official 2013 launch of the campaign was held in Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng where the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana said she felt that the reinstatement of the Sexual Offences court will boost South Africa's efforts to combat gender-based violence and sexual offences against vulnerable people. 

SAHA collections highlighting abuse against women and children

SAHA has materials in various collections demonstrating various initiatives adopted by social movements and activists in the fight against crimes committed against women and children.

Some of these materials are found in the following SAHA collections:

AL2431 The United Democratic Front (UDF) Collection
AL2446 The SAHA Poster Collection
Read how you can access the SAHA archive