By 
The Free State Provincial Government (FSPG), joining the rest of the country in launching the 16 days of activism against gender based violence and Femicide, launched its campaign on Friday, 22 November 2024, in Bloemfontein lead by the Acting Premier Mr Jabu Mbalula.
Scores of residents, Non Profit Organisations and numerous stakeholders descended to Phase 5 in Bloemfontein, next to the newly build Sonskyn satellite Police Station soon to be launched; where the launch was taking place.
During his address, Mbalula told the residents that the freedom that was fought for during the struggle against apartheid was not complete if women are not accorded the respect due to them. He said the fight was not only against apartheid but also for equality amongst men and women; hence the many introduction of laws that make men and women equal.
“Our freedom was always about creating a society in which every South African, regardless of gender, could live in dignity, security and comfort. This vision was encapsulated in the freedom charter where we declared that there shall be peace and friendship, and that all women included in everything that we do in our beloved land,” said the Acting Premier.
Mbalula said the scourge of GBV in the country continues to be a threat to women and children; this is despite the gains made since the down of democracy. Violence against women and children remains concerningly prevalent.
Mbalula pointed the devastating effects of abuse on women and children, and appealed to women who experience abuse that they should cease from withdrawing their cases after opened a case of GBV with the police, as that defeats the initiatives of the law to protect women and prosecute perpetrators.
“Women are being killed, raped and abused in their homes, in the streets and even in places that should otherwise be their sanctuary. This is not just a problem for women, it is a national crisis that we need to face,” said Jabu Mbalula.
The Acting Premier said GBV is a structural problem in society, some individuals were raised in toxic abusive homes, where they learnt or were conditioned into thinking that it is a normal thing to abuse women. These can also be traced from the patriarchy era or mentality, whereby women cannot play a significant role in society but are only good in housekeeping roles.
To address and resolve the crisis of GBV, Mbalula says learners, in particular boys, must be taught in school in their life science class on who to live with each other and eradicate the patriarchy mentality from a young age. He said this will ensure that women live freely in their society and are safe.
“To this end our government has implemented a series of legislative measures which are aimed at addressing the scourge of GBV including the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offenses Act, and the most recent amendments through the protection of Harassment Act,” He said.
Acting Premier Jabu Mbalula appealed to the society to work together in fighting the scourge of GBV in the communities; he said most of the perpetrators are known to the victims and the community; he encouraged them to report them to the police and support the CPF forums in the communities in fighting crime.
He also affirmed that law enforcement is doing its best to empower its officers to ensure that they are adequately equipped to deal with GBV matters and that justice is served swiftly and fairly.
