Volume 10, No.5 - August 2001

Gender

Stop violence

This violence must stop

  It was with shock and disgust that COSATU members read about the rape of an eight-year old baby in Cape Town, following that of a nine-month-old baby in Upington, allegedly by six adult men ranging from 24-66 years old.

This unfortunately is not an isolated case. The recent spate of incidents of violence against women and children where rape and gang rape and sexual abuse by neighbours, teachers, parents, grand-fathers, uncles, partners etc is escalating. This is despite attempts to raise awareness and legislative measures put in place to stop violence against women and children. 

Any form of violence is internationally recognized as a major human rights violation and results in physical, emotional and psychological harm.

No culture, provocation, neglect or mental condition can be used to justify this perverse behaviour. Violence against women and children has permeated all layers and spheres of our society to an extent that there is no place to hide. The recent spate of incidents of rape, gang rape and abuse in the home, school even in the pre-schools confirms this.

Such shocking incidents signify the extent of the moral decay of our society and the lack of respect for human rights and dignity.

They also show the extent to which we must vigorously engage in a concerted effort as workers, employers, youth, NGOs, and as social workers and teachers and parents in particular, with community interventions and strategies to supplement legislative measures and the justice system in order to curb and eliminate this scourge from our society.

We call upon community organizations such as the local civic structures, Gender Machinery and all progressive forces in Northern Cape in particular to take up this matter by ensuring that our presence is felt in court cases in support of the legal system to ensure that justice is served to uproot this scourge.

As COSATU, given our role in society and our commitment to protect the most vulnerable sectors of our society, therefore feel urged to pronounce ourselves and can not rest while women and children are denied their right to freedom and protection.

We cannot emphasize enough the need to join forces and work to eradicate violence against women and children and promote human rights.

We should join and support community intervention and media strategies to ensure that we permeate and reach all levels of our society to educate and raise awareness, creating a free and conducive environment and breaking the silence on this matter.