Delmas - Limpopo Premier Cassell Mathale has urged women and children to break the silence and report their abusers to the police.
He was speaking during a provincial Batho Pele (people first) Day celebration near Musina at the weekend, which was also used as a platform to launch Limpopo's 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
Addressing more than 10 000 people at Madimbo Primary School, Mathale called on all the residents of Limpopo to join hands in ensuring that women and children were protected.
"We should never falter in our obligation to advise victims of abuse to report their tormenting experience to the police," he said. "We must also teach our people that neither African customs nor Western culture allow the abuse of women and children."
Mathale said he was pleased about the number of local police stations that had improved their capacity to handle cases of abuse.
"They are now in a better position to offer counselling to those who have experienced abuse and violation of their rights and strengthen our ability to assist the victims of abuse," Mathale said.
He emphasised the need for the campaign to move beyond a 16-day awareness focus to one that encompassed the entire year.
"We must be more decisive in our action against those who abuse women and children. We must also be proactive in encouraging the involvement of communities in initiatives to combat crimes against women and children all year round," he said.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the international 16 days campaign, which starts on November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
