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20 November 2003
The News Editor
Media Invitation
Colloquium on Gender Based Violence
16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence Against Women
and Children
Hellenic Hall - Durban
Tuesday, 25 November 2003 at 10H00
The KZN Department of Education in partners with
sister Government departments, civil society, organised labour and NGO’s will
be hosting a Provincial Colloquium on Gender Based Violence at the Hellenic Hall
on Tuesday, 25 November 2003 at 10H00. The purpose of the 16 Days of Activism
Campaign for No Violence Against Women is to increase awareness about violence
directed at women and children, how it manifests itself in our society and the
negative impact it has on the development of these vulnerable groups.
Guest speaker at the event will be the Premier of
KwaZulu-Natal, Dr LPHM Mtshali. Other dignitaries present will be the National
Deputy Minister of Education, Mr M Mangena, Minister of Education and Culture,
Mr Narend Singh, Minister of Transport, Mr JS Ndebele, Minister of Tourism and
Economic Affairs, Mr R Burrows and Mrs N Mgenge of South African Girl Child
Alliance [SAGA]. This year’s theme is Men as partners in eradicating Violence
Against Women and Children. The Government of the Republic of South Africa since
1998 organised campaign to generate increased awareness of the negative impact
of violence on women. Annually the international community participates in a
United Nation-recognised and underwritten 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No
Violence Against Women. The Campaign commences on 25th November 2003
and ends on 10the December 2003. The sixteen-day period is marked by two very
important international dates: International HIV/Aids Day, December 1st
and the International Day for the Disabled, December the 3rd.
Employers and employees will be encouraged to support the
white ribbon campaign and to source their white ribbons, either beaded, ceramic
or ribbon from women’s empowerment groups. The Department of Trade and
Industry will be requested to assist participants in sourcing ribbons and pins.
The rights of women and children are human rights.
Gender-based violence and all forms of sexual harassment and exploitation are
incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person, and must be
eliminated. This year’s campaign will focus on strategic partnerships between
Government, the private sector, civil society, organised labour and the
diplomatic community to spread the message about combating violence against
women and children. One of the focus areas will be the impact of violence on
disabled women and children. This participation of our partners and stakeholders
will culminate in the signing of a Pledge and the building of a wall of
solidarity, with corporate logo identification at the finale on 10 December
2003.
Mandla Msibi
Director: Communication and Public Relations
Tel.: (035) 874 342
Cell: 083 461 6253
Fax: (035) 874 3640
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