Bua Briefs 132


21 November 2008
 

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children

Government, together with all sectors of society, embarks on the national 16 Days of Activism Campaign to oppose violence committed against women and children. The campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December of each year and its objectives are reinforced by the year-long 365 Days Programme and National Plan. In the spirit of the rights entrenched in the Constitution of our country and other laws that guarantee the dignity of each person, government is raising awareness of challenges posed by social attitudes and practices that continue to perpetuate gender-based violence and child abuse. Since 1994, we have established progressive policies, laws and programmes, which are being implemented to protect women and children in society from violence and abuse.
 

In addition to the rights and dignity of each person guaranteed in the Constitution, government has put in place legislation to bolster the rights of women and children
 

The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 [PDF] 470 kb and the Employment Equity Act, 1998 [PDF] 2315 kb were passed to ensure that constitutional rights are enjoyed by all persons, including women.

The Maintenance Act, 1998 [PDF] 334 kb and the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 [PDF] 1090 kb guarantee the rights of children to living standards that are adequate for physical, mental, spiritual and social development. It ensures that maintenance for children is recovered from the parents or other persons who are financially responsible for the child.

The Children's Act, 2005 [PDF] 2648 kb and Children's Amendment Act, 2007 [PDF] 1996 kb were enacted to, among other things, protect children from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation.


The Victim’s Charter brings relief to women and children who are victims of crime


The Victim’s Charter [PDF] 616 kb ensures that the rights of victims of crime are recognised and protected by a comprehensive and integrated response provided to victims of crime.

It seeks to cultivate a human-rights culture by ensuring that victims’ needs, either material or emotional, are met.

The Integrated Victim Empowerment Policy serves as a framework for a victim-centred approach, with strong emphasis on the reduction of secondary victimisation and improved co-operation with the criminal justice process.
 

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development expands the rights of women further on the African continent
 

The protocol puts gender rights at the forefront of the SADC Plan of Action and is a step forward in enhancing gender equality.

The protocol contains 25 articles covering different aspects relating to issues ranging from access to justice and education and promotes the inclusion of women's rights in the constitutions of member states.

In terms of the protocol, SADC member states will by 2015 have enacted laws that promote equal access to education.

Member states will by 2015 have enacted legislation that fights sexual harassment.

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World AIDS Day 1 December 2008

On 1 December 2008, World AIDS Day will be marked by a national event at the Sahara Stadium in Durban. The day will be marked by various activities in the provinces.

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) calls on all individuals, communities, business, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations to demonstrate that HIV can be prevented and that treatment works
 

Through our programmes, we can ensure that all mothers with HIV remain healthy and all babies are born free of HIV.

Reducing the number of sexual partners and consistently using condoms can reduce infection rates.

Know your status and get treatment on time before you get sick. ART (anti-retroviral therapy) works and with good nutrition it can prolong and improve the lives of those living with HIV.

We must ensure that children from households affected by HIV and AIDS are protected from all forms of abuse and neglect and enabled to complete their schooling.

HIV, AIDS and TB are national priorities, requiring urgent action by all sectors of society


HIV, AIDS and TB have impacted negatively on communities, especially the poor. It has put increased pressures on health workers, teachers and the elderly and led to the loss of national productivity and profit.

TB is preventable and it is curable, if patients complete and adhere to their treatment, even if they are HIV positive.

Through strengthening our partnership under SANAC, we can ensure that our health systems work better in responding to illnesses caused by HIV, AIDS and TB.

We must work together to ensure an HIV- and AIDS-free generation.

With individual responsibility, leadership and unity we will stop this epidemic!

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Economic highlights

2010 FIFA infrastructure investment
 

Construction Orlando Stadium, Johannnesburh South Africa has been completed. The R280-million revamped stadium has a seating capacity of 40,000 can also accommodate 120 suites, conference facilities and a gymnasium. Over 2,200 jobs have been created with skills in carpentry, bricklaying, plastering and painting being transferred.