On Saturday, 25 November 2023, the Eastern Cape Government launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign at Lusikisiki in the OR Tambo District Municipality.

The 16 days campaign forms a centre point of government s comprehensive and ongoing campaigns, which focuses on raising awareness to the devastating impact that gender-based violence has on women and children, and the social fabric of our society.

Given the scourge of Gender- Based violence in the province particularly in areas such as Lusikisiki and Mqhekezweni, the Provincial Government emphasized its commitment to provide trauma debriefing and psychosocial support services to survivors and families of victims affected by crime and violence. The appointment of more social workers has also strengthened the collaboration with the law enforcement agencies in attending to these cases.

Government continues to work in partnership with civil society to give effect to the pillars of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. The establishment of GBVF Rapid Response Teams is part of efforts to coordinate the response of Government and other relevant stakeholders on GBVF.

Recent reports show that the Court Watch Brief initiated by government is steadily achieving its objectives as 35% of cases have been successfully brought back to the court roll of which 18% of them have been finalised. Recent convictions on rape cases, that is, 20 years imprisonment and 21 years on three (3) count of rape cases in Lusikisiki, 18 years, 15 years and 20 years of imprisonment on two (2) cases of rape cases in Lady Frere, and a 16-year imprisonment for rape and eight (8) years imprisonment for grievous bodily harm against a female victim in Sarah Baartman are an indication that the criminal justice system is holding perpetrators accountable for their violent actions.

Meanwhile the opening of the newly expanded DNA lab in Gqeberha is helping improve turnaround times and curb backlog in DNA analyses to reinforce the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide. The facility has processed over 6 000 DNA samples since becoming functional earlier this year.

This year s campaign begins at the backdrop of the recent gruesome murders of women in the province, such as the murder of a 23-year-old Ngqamakwe woman who was found dumped in a pit toilet after allegedly being raped and had her throat slit. In another case, a 34-year-old lady teacher from Lusikisiki was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Yonela Mahlangulu s body was dumped near a local river and she was laid to rest this past Saturday, on the day of the launch of the 16 Days Activism Campaign, at her Ngobozana Village home in Lusikisiki.

Government strongly condemns these heinous crimes against women and calls on communities to act against the abuse of women and children by supporting law enforcement agencies in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book.

This year s campaign seeks to promote public participation and empower women regarding legislative imperatives that impact their daily lives.