Crime statistics of the country declare Lusikisiki as a hotspot of rape and other criminal activities against the rights of women and children. Given the scourge of Gender-based Violence and Femicide cases in the country. In 2019 President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an emergency Response Action Plan on GBVF. 16 days of activism forms an important part of the president’s plan to fight Gender Based Violence and Femicide in the country. This year’s theme of 16 days of activism is “Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment to build women’s Resilience against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Connect, Collaborate, Contract!”.
In the fight against this alarming rate of violence against women and children. Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane with other government official visited the Lusikisiki college of education on 5 November which was international children’s day to talk about the rights of all children.
In his speech Mabuyane explained that this day is a day that was first declared by the United Nations in order to protect rights of children all over the world. He further urged the children and the community members to report abuse of children to relevant offices such as SAPS and social workers. “Children are amongst the most vulnerable people in society. Children need to be nurtured and protected at all costs. There are children in Bizana digging out sand in rivers, we do not condone such acts and we urge people to report child labour.” said the premiere.
At this children’s day event, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality’s legacy project chose three projects to donate money, furniture, toys and other necessary equipment to. And they chose Eluphilisweni children’s home in ward 2, Siyaphana, and Goso Forest children’s home.
The entire event was handled by child ambassador Phelisa Thupa and Ahlume Manxa who is also a child ambassador and an Eastern Cape legislative speaker in the children’s parliament. These young future leaders mentioned challenges faced by children of Eastern Cape, particularly those living in rural areas. Ahlume Manxa said “A lack of infrastructure in rural schools is an abuse of a child’s right because at the end of year these children in rural schools are expected to have the same pass rate as those in proper schools. There is a needs to put more effort in curbing substance abuse in children.”
Phelisa Thupa agreed and added by saying that teenage pregnancy and drug abuse are the two main challenges that expose children to abuse. “Drugs are no longer just in the streets but they are in our school premises as well. There are adults who sell drugs to leaners wearing school uniforms. “ said the child ambassador.
Bukiwe Fanta the MEC of social development spoke about teenage pregnancy and the high number of young children commuting suicide in the province. “we want to appeal to our police services and health inspectors to protect our children. You cannot have old men who sleep with 10 year old girls. We are also worried about the high rate of suicide in children and we heard that these children take their lives by eating a pill used by farmers as a pesticide. We want to know why this pill is so easily accessible.”
The government urges everyone in the community to play their part in the fight against violence against women and children.
