"The Foschini Group CSI was recognised for their exceptional support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Government in 2008."
The South African Government runs a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to violence against children. This campaign focuses primarily on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children. The white ribbon is a symbol of personal and organisational commitment to the eradication of violence against women and children.
Says Neo Tsele, Manager of the 16 Days of Activism Secretariat, “The rights of women and children are fundamental human rights entrenched in and protected by the Constitution. They are thus inalienable from, integral to and indivisible from the human rights framework. Gender-based violence in all its different guises is incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person, and must be eliminated. Hence, the call to society is “Don’t Look Away, Act against Abuse.” This year’s campaign focuses on a call for all sectors of society to join the growing movement against the violation of children and women’s rights. The 16 Days Campaign will launch in the form of a national stakeholder’s conference that will look into strengthening the work of NGO’s and NPO’s, victim support centres, and community based organisations. The campaign will advocate for a focus on moral regeneration, young women, men, the aged, the disabled, mothers and the mobilisation of traditional leadership against the abuse of cultural practices to justify abuse”.