By Hajira Khota
03:09:2021

Gender-based violence and femicide continue to be a severe problem in society, and several departments have pledged to combat the scourge of GBVF. During a virtual interaction with the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus in Parliament, stakeholders offered these thoughts.

Kgosi Larmeck Mokoena, president of the South African Congress of Traditional Leaders Organisation, believes the government should use Heritage Month to address social evils such as gender-based violence.

GBV data have risen since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, according to reports. Mokoena believes that women’s organisations, particularly political parties and female professionals, should be visible in combating the pandemic of female and child abuse at all times.

The meeting reviewed the promises made last year by several departments and civil society organisations to combat GBVF.

Departments and organisations provided feedback on implementing some National Strategic Plan’s Pillars to combat GBVF. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies claims to have launched several programs to combat gender-based violence.

According to Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Public Service and Administration Charlotte Pilane-Majeke is dedicated to implementing its national strategic plan to combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

Femicide and Gender-Based Violence Continue to be a stumbling block to advancing women’s rights in South Africa, especially sexual harassment. We are in charge of three pillars. We are currently concentrating on Pillar, which is accountability, coordination, and leadership.”

Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Mthethwa has appealed to men to join the battle against violence against women and children by launching Heritage Month 2021 at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Tshwane.

Governance Deputy Director-General “As a department, we have introduced GBV programs,” Thulisile Manzini explains. There is also a need to expand these programs to encompass domestic violence issues, which may necessitate a reassessment of the financial resources available.

September is Heritage Month in South Africa, and it is used to highlight the country’s cultural diversity and its long history.