By Buffalo City Reporter
22 November 2005

INTERNATIONAL Day of No Violence Against Women is marked on Friday, 25 November, the day South Africa's 16 Days of Activism campaign - aimed at tackling violence against women and children - is launched.

The campaign has been held for the past 10 years and this year will be launched by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Cheryl Gillwald. It runs until Saturday, 10 December.

Organised by the Department of Correctional Services, the 16 Days campaign is instrumental in putting violence against women under the spotlight.

"The purpose of the launch is to acknowledge the importance of strategic partnerships in the eradication of violence against women and children. It is also a platform to thank our partners for their support in the past and to consolidate the partnership into the future," Gillwald explained.

Several significant dates occur within the 16 days: World Aids Day on 1 December, International Day For People Living With Disabilities on 3 December, and International Human Rights Day on 10 December. These symbolically link violence against women with violations of human rights.

The theme for this year's campaign is Partnerships for Peace. The government, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, faith-based organisations and other roleplayers will collaborate on a variety of projects to boost awareness of the many forms of violence directed at women and children.

White ribbons
White ribbons will be used to show support and personal commitment to non-violence.

The South African Post Office has printed more than a million postcards pledging support for the campaign. These are available at post offices throughout the country and can be signed and posted back to the Department of Correctional Services.

The freepost, self-addressed cards can be dropped off at any post office. People can also make pledges by logging on to the 16 Days of Activism page on the correctional services website.

"The more pledges signed, the more funds will be raised for organisations that support survivors of woman and child abuse," says the department.

Cyber Dialogues
Members of the public will also be able to take part in debates on gender violence online, through Cyber Dialogues. These will give people information about the campaign and publicise events being held during the 16 days.

Hosted by Gender Links, a non-governmental organisation, the dialogues will allow individuals around the country to interact with experts and decision-makers.

Up for discussion will be 16 themes focusing on hot issues related to gender violence. Personal ideas can be posted on the Gender Links website, on the Cyber Dialogues chat room.

The Mirabal sisters
The day marking the start of the campaign, 25 November, was chosen to commemorate the death of the Mirabal sisters in 1960. They were killed under Rafael Trujillo, the Dominican Republic dictator.

The day was declared International Day of No Violence Against Women at the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogotá, in Columbia in 1981.

In 1999 it was officially recognised by the United Nations as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign is part of the government's broader drive to eliminate abuse.

"It hopes to contribute to the government's primary developmental objective of restoring to individuals their human dignity within the context of safer and more secure families and communities," Gillwald said.