The Western Cape Government will be represented at tomorrow's march by Education MEC Cameron Dugmore as Premier Ebrahim Rasool will be attending the funeral service in Klapmuts of six victims of the Faure train-truck crash. The march will be led by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongongkulu Ndungane.

The rights of women and children are fundamental human rights entrenched in and protected by the Constitution. Gender-based violence in all its different guises is unacceptable and must be eliminated.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women is a United Nations campaign that takes place on an annual basis from the 25th November (International Day of No Violence Against Women) until 10th December (International Human Rights Day). The South African Government runs a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to violence against children.

This national campaign, convened by the Deputy Minister of the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) Ms. Nomatyala Hangana has as it's vision to take the campaign to the people at grass roots level and beyond the borders of South Africa. The opening event is today in the Limpopo Province.

The year 2006 marks the 16th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. International instruments that support the campaign include: The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the BEIJING Platform for Action which are both endorsed by South Africa.

South Africans and people of the Western Cape are therefore called upon, to support the campaign by wearing the white ribbon symbol which reflects solidarity.

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape, led by the Department of the Premier and in partnership with civil society structures, is hosting an integrated programme with a particular focus on women, children and people with disabilities.

Enquiries:
Gert Witbooi, Spokesperson: Provincial Ministry of Education
Cell: 082 550 3938
Sifiso Mbuyisa, Director: Social Dialogue and Human Rights, Department of the Premier
Cell: 082 491 4744