16 days just not enough

Imust commend and respond to the article written by Dr Reuben Rashe, the head of the theology and religion department of the University of Fort Hare, whom I have also had the good fortune to call my minister in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (DD, December 11, “16 days of activism: church has vital role to play”, refers).

While the world is celebrating 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we as a country cannot be in celebratory mode.

South African women and children are continuously experiencing the violation of their human rights in the form of violence.

Every year the government dutifully launches the 16 days of no violence against women and children, yet every year the violence continues.

It has now become pertinent that we all heed the rhetoric of 365 days of no violence against women and children.

The call to end violence against women and children must not just be an annual programme but a “mantra” that we as society utter and live by daily.

Dr Rashe points out that stakeholders within our communities – the Church being one of those – must play a pivotal role in addressing and vocalising these issues.

He goes on to bemoan the seemingly silent stance taken by the Church.

Churches cannot be mute or complacent regarding their role and responsibility in addressing, educating and assisting their societies in the battle to stem this violent pandemic in our country. – Pinkie Sobahle, Commission for Gender Equality