365 National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children

What?

In May 2006 civil society organisations and government representatives met to draft a National Action to End Gender Violence. Delegates adopted the Kopanong Declaration in which a cross section of South Africans committed to a joint campaign for eradicating violence against women and children.

After the May conference, a Task Team was constituted comprising representatives of government and civil society. The South Africa 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence was launched on 8 March 2007 by the Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo Ncquka and National Convener of the 16 Days Campaign Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Nomatyala Hangana.

Who is involved?

• Government (National, Provincial, Local) and

• Legislatures (national, provincial)

• Statutory bodies (eg the Chapter nine Institutions; Independent Complaints Directorate)

• Civil (NGOs; CBOs; FBOs; traditional authorities; unions)
• Business
• Inter governmental structures and cooperating partners.

Vision:

A South Africa free from gender based violence where women, men, girls and boys can realise their full potential.

Mission:

To devise a comprehensive and concerted plan for ending gender violence with measurable targets and indicators to which South Africans from all walks of life, in

all spheres of government and at all levels of society can contribute.

Goals:

1. To mount a sustained prevention and awareness campaign that extends the

Sixteen Days of Activism into a year long campaign; involves women and men across the country; and has a measurable impact on attitudes and behaviour.

2. To ensure that all relevant legislation is passed, budgeted for, thoroughly canvassed and implemented.

3. To reduce cases of rape by seven to ten percent per annum in line with the SAPS target.

4. To ensure that South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics provide particulars on domestic violence and that there is significant reduction of domestic violence each year.

5. To increase conviction rates by 10 percent per annum, including through the roll out of more Sexual Offences Courts.

6. To ensure comprehensive treatment and care for all survivors of gender violence, including the provision of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce the chances of

HIV infection; treatment for the possibility of STD's and pregnancy as well as counseling.

7. To provide support and empowerment for victims through places of safety, secondary housing and employment opportunities as well as rehabilitation of offenders.

8. To ensure coordination and communication among those involved in the implementation of the plan including through the establishment of appropriate institutional mechanisms.

9. To set targets and indicators that are regularly monitored, evaluated and reported on.

10. To ensure that the plan is widely canvassed and adapted for implementation at all levels: national, provincial and local.

Concerns

There is great concern amongst civil society organisations about the implementation of the plan. These include:

- the extent to which civil society structures are consulted

- the allocation of resources for implementation

- the nature of the partnership between government and civil society organizations

- monitoring and evaluation of the plan