Abuse of the elderly tops the City’s 16-Days agenda
25 November 2015
The violence and abuse visited upon women and children – as well as the elderly – will come under sharp focus when the City of Johannesburg marks the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
Observed internationally, the campaign is held every year from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). It includes World Aids Day on December 1.
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To highlight the scourge of violence and to push for its total elimination, the City has lined up several awareness activities, events and initiatives in all its regions throughout the 16-day period, says Councillor Nonceba Molwele, MMC for Health and Social Development.
Locally, this year’s campaign will be held under the theme: “Count Me In – Together Moving a Non-Violent South Africa Forward.”
Internationally, the theme is: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All.” According to MMC Molwele, most of the City’s events this year focus on the abuse of the elderly. She adds that the department will, together with the City’s Spousal Office, kick-start the campaign with the hosting of a “Memeza (Shout) for 16 Seconds” event at the Constitution Hill on Wednesday November 25.
In Region A, activities marking the campaign will be held at Supadimama’s Senior Citizens’ Home in Ivory Park on Thursday November 26 and at Vukunzenzele Senior Citizens’ Centre in Diepsloot on Friday November 27. Region B also has several activities planned.
The Westbury Youth Centre will host an outreach activity aimed at the youth and young adults on November 26. On November 28 the Home Away From Home Senior Citizens Care Centre in Westbury will hold discussions on the abuse of the elderly.
Celebrations marking Human Rights Day on December 10 will take place at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre in Newlands.
In Region C, the Braamfischer Hall will on November 26 host activities focusing on the abuse of the elderly, while a meeting at Doornkop Hall will put drugs and their effects in society under the microscope.
The following day the Skonplass DRD Hall in Mathole will bring together young and old for a day of fun and education. On December 3 Leratong Hospital will host a meeting focusing on the abuse of the elderly.
Region D will kick off its campaign with a roving community workshop on November 26 at Motsoaledi. The workshop, will also be hosted at the Orlando Skills Centre on December 2 and at the Oppenheimer Hall on December 8. It will focus on gender-based and domestic violence.
The abuse of the elderly will also be discussed at the Phiri Day Care Centre on December 3.In Region E activities will include door-to-door mobilisation to highlight the upcoming Men’s Conference.
Region F will launch a safety awareness initiative on November 24. The abuse of the elderly will also be put in the spotlight at the South Hills Day Care Centre on December 3.
Region G will host a workshop at the Orange Farm Centre also focusing on the abuse of the elderly.