Speak out against violence and abuse, pleads Twala-Tau
26 November 2015
Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, the wife of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau, on Wednesday November 25 called on the city’s residents to stand united against violence and the abuse of women, children and the elderly.
“By speaking out and taking a stand to stop violence and abuse, you create a second chance [for someone],” Twala-Tau said. She was speaking at Constitution Hill on the first day of the City’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign and the “Memeza for 16 Seconds” initiative.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is an international initiative held between November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
In South Africa statistics reveal high levels of violence against women. Over 77% of women in Limpopo, 51% in Gauteng, 39% in the Western Cape and 37% in KwaZulu-Natal report experiencing some form of violence.
In Johannesburg, however, the figure stands at 15%. The City has urged residents to make use of strong policy and legislative provisions to report gender-based violence. The City’s “Memeza (Call Out) for 16 Seconds” campaign, spearheaded by the Spousal Office and the Department of Social Development, encourages residents to speak out against violence and abuse.
“The City, in partnership with all sections of society, is tackling issues of gender-based violence to protect women, children and the elderly from all types of abuse,” said Twala-Tau.
“Memeza (call out) if you experience or know of someone who needs assistance. There are programmes and places of safety where you can access help and support.”
Carina van Zyl, Head of the Women and the Elderly Sub-Unit in the City’s Health and Social Development Department, said the City wanted to ensure that messages emanating from the 16 Days of Activism campaign were embraced on a daily basis, 365 days a year.
“Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, we as a society think of those who fall victim to abuse and violence. As the City, we are committed to fighting abuse and violence in all their forms throughout the year,” she said.
Van Zyl said in October her department launched a campaign focusing on mental illness among the elderly, including dementia.
“Educating all communities about issues that face us in everyday life ensures a better quality of life for all. It remains everyone’s responsibility to do something about abuse and violence. As the City we urge you to break the silence. Speak up against abuse and spread the message that this will not be tolerated,” said van Zyl.