The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] joins our society in observing 16 Days of Activism against violence and abuse directed against women and children.

The 16 Days of Activism is observed annually from the 25th November to the 10th December for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and children. As NEHAWU, we call on our members, workers and society at large to join the 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide [GBVF].

Indeed, the scourge of gender based violence against women and children continues to persist, and requires all in society to play a meaningful role towards the elimination of the GBVF in our society.

The recently released statistics on crime by the South African Police Services point to a country that remains a deeply violent society and that we still have a long way to go before the goal of eliminating and ending gender-based violence and femicide in our society. This requires that we all place more effort in ensuring that GBVF is prevented and eliminated in our society.

As NEHAWU, we call on the government and law enforcement agencies to intensify fight against GBVF using the National Strategic Plan on GBVF to tackle all forms of violence and abuse directed against women and children.

The national union commits itself to redouble its campaign and awareness on Gender-Based Violence. Our message is calling on all in society to unite against GBVF in order to ensure that the women and children are protected from the scourge.

Lastly, let us unite and fight the scourge of gender based violence, femicide, rape and violence directed at women and children.

END

Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat

Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968; December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969; Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za