Pretoria – Motorists in the North West have been urged to cooperate with traffic officers as the province anticipates heavy traffic ahead of the 16 Days campaign launch.
Modiri Molema road has been closed at the intersection of Sekame road towards Mmabatho Stadium, as the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign will take place at the Stadium Parking Lot in Mahikeng from 11am.
Only accredited vehicles will be allowed to drive into the road for reserved VIP parking in the Department Public Works, Road and Transport precinct. Parking for buses and taxis is reserved inside the Mmabatho Stadium premises.
The launch will be led by the Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, along with North West Premier Thandi Modise.
This year’s opening ceremony will take the form of an interactive session with community members. Civil society organisations that are expected to attend include People Opposing Women Abuse, Sonke Gender Justice, Childline, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), Men’s Sector, Survivor and ex-offenders’ organisations.
16 Days is an annual awareness raising campaign observed globally. It seeks to address policy and legal issues; as well as campaign for the prevention of violence against women and children and to call for the elimination of all forms of gender based violence.
The campaign runs from 25 November, which was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. South Africa has added children in the campaign, as there is a growing concern caused by the increasing violence against children.
The campaign ends on 10 December - International Human Rights Day. Other important days commemorated annually during this 16-day period include World Aids Day on 1December and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. – SAnews.gov.za
