Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities to run 365 day campaign

Imogen Vollenhoven

8 February 2013

Cabinet has decided to prioritise crimes against women and children. It has also recommended that there be no bail for suspects and has called for stiffer sentences.

The announcement on Thursday follows the brutal rape and death of 17-year-old Bredasdorp girl, Aneen Booysen. 

Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, said the sentence should send a strong message to future rapists and abusers. 

The department has also set up a council which is running a campaign called the 365 days campaign, National action plan for no violence against women.

 Meanwhile Sonke Gender Justice has come out and said society must act to end all forms of violence against women.

 This follows the rape and murder of Aneen Booysen on Saturday. 

Sonke Gender Justice said the current level of violence against women in South Africa is a national crisis. 

Sonke Gender Justice Deputy Director Desmond Lesejeane said that this kind of behaviour is abnormal.

Lesejeane adds as a country we need to stop making excuses for it and stop tolerating it, the whole country must make a commitment to make a difference.

Lesejeane said it doesn’t matter who we are or wherever we are and whoever it may be that one must not turn a blind eye, they will deal with people

Lesejeane furthermore said that it doesn’t matter whether it happens in one’s homes and is not vicious, as a country we need to put a stop to it.

The law is not doing enough Lesejeane said and adds  there is a problem in implementing the laws.