The departmental officials gathered to close off the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign at the Ministerial residences, Bhisho, recently.
The Women, Men and Youth fora, Special Programmes Unit, Employee Health and Wellness Programme (EHWP) and the Communication Services Unit (CSU) unwrapped 225 trees which were covered in green and white cloths as a way to show support and to commemorate the survivors of abuse in the hands of men. It was a moving session as employees created awareness for women and children affected by the scourge of violence they face in their daily lives.
The campaign was also commemorated by Regions to show the department’s unhappiness with the continued violence against women and children in the country. This was done through walks, petitions, dialogue and prayer sessions to show solidarity with the victims and those affected by this scourge.
Colleagues gathered for a prayer session as Nolwazi Flatela, State Accountant at Finance, united the flock with a prayer. “This nightmare will not break us as we have a GOD that is faithful, a GOD that has never failed us and a GOD that is not going to start now” said Flatela.
The team then tied the cloths together in a circle as a sign of unity against Gender Based Violence(GBV). Vuyokazi Mbanjwa, Director CSU, thanked everyone for participating in the event and alluded that regardless of the number of people gathered to commemorate the closure of the 16 days of activism against woman and children abuse, “What you have done today is of great significance” she concluded.     

By: Nangamso Seti and Yanga Yiba