[child-rights] 22 African countries pledge action now to end violence against women and children

UNICEF Press release

JOHANNESBURG, 27 November 2006 -- Twenty two African countries today
recommitted themselves to ending violence against women and children on
the closing day of a colloquium marking the annual observance of the 16
Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, in Benoni,
South Africa.

Some 170 participants pledged to take up the challenge issued by UNICEF
Country Representative Macharia Kamau “to work together to build
partnerships, establish a common vision and take common action” to
end violence against women and children in their respective countries.

Continental representatives gathered to deliberate at the ‘Gender
Justice in Africa Colloquium’ on how they can improve the sharing of
Best Practices on multidisciplinary prevention, response, care and support
interventions.

Participants declared their commitment to act collectively and under the
leadership of the African Union (AU), to accelerate action and
inter-country cooperation to improve gender justice throughout the
continent. "When gender justice is ignored, all development is
threatened," the delegates said.

The meeting from 23-27 November was hosted by the Government of South
Africa through the Interdepartmental Management Team led by South
Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (SOCA Unit), in partnership
with UNICEF and the Government of Denmark.

The programme highlighted the successes of the Thuthuzela Integrated Model
of care and support for women and children survivors of sexual violence.

UNICEF Representative, Mr Macharia Kamau, congratulated the Government of
South Africa and delegates from other African states, who had gathered in
such numbers to discuss, learn and share from each other lessons and
insights on gender based violence and what special and practical measures
can be put in place to protect children and women.

Kamau said: "If apartheid was not brought down as recently as 12 years
ago, we would not be sitting together in the same room. If we could bring
about massive democratic changes so successfully, we CAN end violence
against children and women."

National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Vusi Pikoli, further
echoed the delegates’ commitment. “We cannot wait. We will not
wait to end the scourge of violence against women and children. It is
urgent. Together we must Act. Not Tomorrow. But today and now.”

Later today, the participants will affirm their commitment to act
collectively and under the leadership of the AU accelerate action as well
as inter-country cooperation to improve gender justice throughout the
African Continent.