KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Municipality’s Social Development Department in solidarity up with various governmental and non-profit stakeholders is calling for an end to violence against women and children. The annual national campaign launched on 25 November themed #HearMeToo: End Violence against Women and Children!
Executive Mayor Mark Willemse said he is pleased that numerous stakeholders have come together for this important annual campaign.
“Gender equality and the fight against abuse of women and children cannot be achieved by just one organisation. Society as a whole, government and private organisations all need to join hands. I am proud that in Greater Knysna we have an active and generous community and I ask that this continue beyond 10 December.”
The campaign will include HIV/Aids Awareness on 1 December at Buffalo Bay and on 3 December at the Community Day Care Centre, Concordia Road. This will be followed by the Stop Gender Violence Initiative on 5 December at the Sanlam Mall. On 8 December the #SpeakOut event will take place at the Rheenendal Community Hall and the following day Stop Abuse Awareness event at “Die Parkie”, Corner of Oliphant Street and Kalendar Street Hornlee. The 16 Days of Activism activities will be closed off with a Mother and Daughter Workshop at Rheenendal Community Hall.
“I also call on the men of Greater Knysna to partake in these campaigns. We as men cannot put the burden of fighting gender based violence on women only, we also need to take a stand and fight against this sort of abuse. Additionally, we need to start teaching our boys from an early age how to treat women with respect and dignity,” said Willemse.
Stakeholders that have joined forces to ensure the success of this year’s campaign in Greater Knysna include, Knysna Community Police Forum, South African Police Services (SAPS), Families South Africa (FAMSA), Knysna Alcohol and Drug Centre, Department of Correctional Services, Youth Police, Older Person Forum, Knysna Youth Council Police Department, Total Shut Down, Knysna Initiative for Learning & Training (KILT) , HERO, Victim Support, Knysna Women Forum and Department of Social Development.
For any further information on the above programme please contact Lizel Baatjies on telephone 044 302 6343 or email: lbaatjies@knysna.gov.za.
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