This year, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. As part of commemorating the 16 Days Campaign and World AIDS Day, KSD Municipality hosted community dialogues in partnership with Songe Social Change, Hospice Association of Transkei, Faith & Hope I.A.P and Humana People to People. This was a collaborative effort in dealing with Gender-Based Violence as the scourge continues unabated. Recently, at Slovo Park where one of the dialogues was held, a disabled young woman was allegedly murdered and buried in a shallow grave by his boyfriend at his rental place.
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign focuses primarily on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children as well as society. The campaign further seeks to address issues that affect vulnerable groups (women, girls, and boys, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, etc.) such as sexual harassment, rape, cultural practices that are harmful to women and children (ukuthwala, child muthi killings, witchcraft related killings), etc.
The campaign seeks to mobilize all members of the community to also join in this effort. World AIDS Day was also commemorated during this period to show support for people living with HIV and to remember the lives lost to AIDS-related illnesses. A community dialogue and candlelight ceremony were held at Waterfall Community Hall in Ward 3 recently. The purpose was to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives and to end stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV.
