Order! Before I call the Minister, I just want to make a remark. I want to thank the Minister very much. When I got here, I found her seated there, right from the beginning of the session. She never went out - I noticed that - but sat there. What made her sit there I do not know, but it shows that she has a great interest in what the NCOP is doing. [Applause.]
I want to thank the Minister for that. Some don't do what she is doing. They speak quickly and move on. You have shown a very great interest, Minister. Right from the beginning you have been with us, and I want to thank you for that.
I now call on the hon Mayende-Sibiya to deliver her address. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Hon Chairperson, hon members of the House, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured and appreciate very much the decision of this House to allocate time to discuss a challenge that is undermining the moral fibre of our society: the violation of the rights of women and children to enjoy freedom and live in a safe environment.
Chairperson, before I get to the issue of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, it is important that I briefly address the unfortunate reports that appeared in some of the weekend press about the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
The negative comments made about the performance of the Ministry are unwarranted and undermine the process of monitoring and evaluation that has been created by the current administration to enhance government's performance.
The strategic framework of the department has been developed and is supported by budget proposals and an organisational structure that, we believe, will support the implementation of the programme of action of the department. All of these three documents have been presented to the portfolio committee responsible for oversight of our work as the Ministry.
Like all other new or reconfigured departments, we have submitted our organogram to the Department of Public Service and Administration for consideration and endorsement. We have already advertised for the position of director-general, and the selection process will commence immediately after the closing date, which is 7 December.
We will certainly not allow the sideshow that is being created through the media to divert us from the critical task of leading, jointly, the efforts to address the major challenges of violence affecting the women and children of our country.
The resources for the implementation of the 16 Days of Activism campaign were allocated to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, where the 16 Days secretariat was located before the formation of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. Because of this arrangement, we are working together with the Department of Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the implementation of this year's campaign.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign is a UN-endorsed campaign. It takes place annually from 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs until 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day.
The period of the campaign, hon members, coincides with the commemoration of World Aids Day on 1 December and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. This allows us to focus on the links between sexual violence and the spread of HIV infection, as well as incidents of abuse experienced by persons with disabilities.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign focuses on generating increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women, children and society as a whole. In the SADC region, the campaign has gained significant momentum through the adoption of the Addendum on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children by heads of state, and the plan of action and strategies for promoting gender parity in the region.
The year 2009 officially marks the 10-year anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Over the 10 years we have witnessed the exponential growth of this campaign, making it the second most known government event in South Africa, after the state of the nation address, according to the Government Communication and Information System tracker survey of last year.
There is growth in public awareness of the campaign and its messages. This awareness has extended to vulnerable and marginalised communities, such as the farmworker community, through the Farm Workers Awareness Programme.
There is commitment by government, in partnership with NGOs, to fight the scourge of violence throughout the 365 days of the year. This commitment has resulted in the development of the 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence.
Although the campaign has succeeded in raising awareness amongst the South African public, the abuse of children and women continues to occur. This disjuncture between a high level of awareness and persistent abuse is a cause for concern. It is also an indication that more needs to be done to cultivate a culture of relevant authorities in the criminal justice system, communities, civil society and other stakeholders taking action against abuse..
The continuing incidents of violence necessitate a review of the arrangement and programmes around fighting gender-based violence and child abuse that have been implemented over the past 10 years. This will be the primary focus of the summit that will be held at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg on 25 November to mark the launch of this year's campaign.
While highlighting successes, the summit provides an opportunity for government and its partners to reflect on the 10 years of the campaign and agree on the interventions needed to ensure an effective response to the growing scourge of gender violence and violation of children's rights.
The Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will lead a co- ordinated effort to sustain the campaign into its next decade.
On 24 November there will be a media event and the lighting of the Torch of Peace at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The Torch of Peace forms a link between the 16 Days of Activism campaign and other major national campaigns that support the programmes of government.
This year's closing ceremony will be held in the Free State on 10 December. Other important highlights will include the popularisation of initiatives currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. These include: popularisation of the South African Cedaw Report, commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Cedaw and the popularisation of the UN convention on disability.
We will also reinforce interventions against early and enforced marriages through community engagements that highlight the need to protect young women and children against early and enforced marriages under the pretext of a traditional practice called "ukuthwala".
I am happy with the programme by the NCOP, which is trying to address and add its voice to this particular challenge. We appreciate that.
To maintain the strong corporate identity and communication impact of this campaign, we have retained the look and feel of the campaign under the theme, "Don't look away, act against abuse". The retention of this theme has been consulted on with partners.
Participating partners are requested to feature the campaign logo extensively in their communication tools. Partners are also encouraged to support the white ribbon campaign and to source their white ribbons from women's empowerment groups for fundraising purposes. When we came into the House earlier this afternoon, we were given ribbons by one hon member. Thank you very much.
Chairperson, I hope that as this House goes into recess for this year, hon members will take these messages to their respective provinces and ensure that there are activities in their constituencies that seek to address the challenges of gender-based violence and child abuse. I thank you. [Applause.]