WCED supports campaign against gender-based violence
23 November 2021
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is an international campaign which takes place annually from 25 November to 10 December 2021.
During the 16-day period, Government together with civil society and the private sector will host a series of community and sector dialogues and activities to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with gender-based violence (GBV).
The theme for this year’s campaign is “The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: 16 Days of Activism – moving from awareness to accountability”.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has integrated the six pillars of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP) into current service delivery. The NSP centres around six pillars, namely accountability, coordination and leadership; prevention and rebuilding social cohesion; justice, safety and protection; response, care, support and healing; economic power; and research and information management.
As part of accountability, coordination and leadership, all staff are vetted, swift action is taken when employees are found guilty of any form of GBV and the WCED reports on the implementation of sexual harassment policies as well as cases of child abuse.
To try and prevent the scourge of GBV, awareness around the issue is raised and strategic interventions for boys and girls are identified and rolled out.
The WCED provides psychosocial support to learners and workplaces are held accountable for providing psychosocial support as part of their Employee Wellness Programmes.
Targeted school and community outreach and dialogues on solutions towards a gender equal society are arranged by the education districts during the campaign.
You can also play your part by doing the following:
- Be an activist against GBV in your homes, school, communities, work, and positions!
- Reject and report abusers - Act and don’t look away!
- Do not protect abusers, report them!
- Challenge and denounce cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequalities
- Be sensitive and supportive to GBV victims - share helpful information and support causes near you.
- Teach children values of gender equality
- Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on the internet and social media, including pornography and sexual solicitation
Together, let us take actions to support the 16 days of activism for no violence against women, children, LGBTQIA+ persons campaign.
