WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

INTERNATIONAL 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE PLEDGE

25 NOVEMBER TO 10 DECEMBER 2001

In support of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, and in acknowledging our moral and constitutional obligations, defined in terms of Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), we in the Western Cape Province are committed to fighting gender violence and abuse against all people, but especially against women, children, the youth and disabled.

In this spirit and in our fight against gender violence and abuse we pledge to concentrate our immediate efforts on the following actions:

Affirm the values of respect for human dignity, equality and freedom.

Make provision for the development of policy aimed at mainstreaming a gender perspective in all government strategies, policies and programmes related to gender violence and abuse.

Encourage and support implementation measures aimed at increasing the knowledge and understanding of the causes, consequences and mechanisms of gender violence and abuse (concentrating on women and the girl child) amongst those responsible for implementation of policies.

Work with partners in the public and private sectors to develop initiatives and programmes that will lead to the empowerment of vulnerable groups in combating gender violence and abuse as well as promoting access to information, services and resources.

Create or strengthen institutional mechanisms that will encourage victims to break the culture of silence by reporting acts of violence and abuse against them in a safe, supportive and confidential environment.

Adopt all appropriate measures to modify the social and cultural patterns of behaviour that reinforces and allow gender-based discrimination, stereotypes, prejudices, violence and abuse against women, children, the youth and the disabled.

Commence in 2002 the process for the enablement of a Provincial Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Action Plan.

We the undersigned, hereby acknowledge our legal and moral obligation towards the Promotion of Activism against Gender Violence. We also commit our resources to the protection, promotion and enhancement of human rights, which we reaffirm by the signing of this pledge.

Adopted by         _____________________________

                           Dr Audrey van Zyl

                           Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Technology

Place                   Provincial Legislature

                            7 Wale Street,

                            Cape Town

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