The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134, officially designating 25 November as the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and in doing so, inviting governments, international organizations as well as NGOs to join together and organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

Resolution 54/134 states, amongst others, that:

•    violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of their full advancement, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into subordinate positions, compared with men;
•    the human rights of women and of the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights,9 and recognizing further the need to promote and protect all human rights of women and girls;
•    the term “violence against women” means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
In South Africa, 25 November is also the starting day of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children which runs until 10 December.

Violence against women remains devastatingly pervasive in South Africa. Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 7 February 2019, President Ramaphosa stated that violence against women and children has reached epidemic proportions and that ending gender-based violence is an urgent national priority that requires the mobilisation of all South Africans and the involvement of all institutions. South African women are faced with discrimination, abuse, violence and even death, often by those they are closest to.

The objectives of the commemoration are strategically engage with stakeholders from relevant government departments, state institutions, civil society organisations and academia in order to:
•    to enhance awareness about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women;
•    Build partnerships with individuals and organisations involved in promoting and protecting women’s human rights;
•    enhance the effectiveness of the crime prevention and criminal justice measures to eliminate violence against women.
•    enhance the implementation of  legislation and policies aimed at eliminating violence against women.

The commemoration is scheduled to take place as follows:  

Venue: Seasons Conference and Wedding Venue, Mahikeng
Date: 25 November 2021
Date: 10h00 to 13h00

Ends
For further information contact the SAHRC North West Provincial Manager, Mr Osmond Mngomezulu on 060 790 1476 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Adv. Oarabile Gaoraelwe on 0824045788 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.