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This past Saturday, the ANC Women's League convened a meeting in
Johannesburg to provide a platform for all interested and concerned
organisations to pledge their support to the campaign to bring back the
Nigerian girls home safely.

This important gathering was attended by women's organisations, civil
society formations, religious and cultural organisations, interested
individuals and progressive men's organisations. As evidenced by our
declaration, we were all united in our collective commitment to intensify
efforts to mobilise the whole of society and the world behind this
campaign.

Consistent with our declaration, we commit to join hands with all women
across the world and in particular, from the African continent, to
mobilise for the safe return of our children. Our actions are inspired by
our firm conviction that injustice anywhere in the world must never be
tolerated. Abuse of women and children anywhere in the world must be
confronted with every might at our disposal. We have a duty to work
relentlessly towards the total elimination of all forms of women and
child abuse.

As the Women's League, we are determined never to sit back or turn a
blind eye while our girls' human rights are so blatantly and tragically
violated. We commit to work with our women and men's organizations to
ensure solidarity with the people of Nigeria.

We reiterate the commitment we made in our declaration: We will continue
to promote efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and
children. We say: No to those who use our children as pawns in political
and religious conflicts. We say: No to human trafficking.

The ANC Women's League commit to solidarity with the women of Nigeria,
both Muslims and Christians, in every effort to ensure the safe return of
the kidnapped school girls. To this end, we will embark on the following
programme of action:

Social Solidarity Petition

We reiterate our call to all South Africans, Africans and people across
the world to sign our Social Solidarity Petition to unite behind this
cause and campaign to "Bring Back Our Girls." The petition is available
on the ANC and ANC Women's League website,
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ancwl-bringbackourgirls-safely-now. We
expect to receive  petition until the 23rd of May 2014 at Luthuli House.
The petition will be handed over to the Nigerian government on a date
still to be confirmed.

Candle-lighting and lighting of flame of hope

This afternoon, the ANC Women's League leadership, ANC NEC members and
girl children will lead the process of candle-lighting at the Nigerian
embassy and light the 230 flames of hope. The 230 flames of hope
represent the number of missing children and will stay on until the safe
return of our girls. Every afternoon and evening we will gather at the
Nigerian embassy as members of the ANC Women's League, girl children,
progressive men and representatives of other structures of the mass
Democratic Movement. We urge all South African to join us every evening
at the Nigerian Embassy.

Moment of silence

We call all South Africans and the people of the world to join us as we
observe a moment of silence, wherever they will be, on Wednesday, 21 May
2014, (let's suggest time, say 12:00).

Mass Prayer Service \ Women Prayer Services

Starting this Thursday, 22 May 2014, we call upon all people to join a
Mass Prayer Services in their various churches, stadiums and other
venues. Every Thursday will be designated a day for Women Prayer
Services. We urge all women of South Africa who gather every thursday for
their regular women prayer services to observe a special prayer service
for the Nigerian girls.

Mass sector activities from 21 to 23 May 2014

From the 21st to the 23rd of May, there will be picketing in selected
public buildings led by Sisonke Men's Sector and at police stations led
by Men's Group Action. In addition, there will be candle-lighting at
selected places that will serve as shrines.. This programme will be led
by Umkhamba Project. During this three-day period, the student movement
will embark on activities such as picketing and marches at various
institutions of higher learning. Women in Business, Traditional Leaders,
and COSATU will participate in mass activities across all provinces.
There will be mini marches by women, girls and progressive men selected
places.

Africa Day (25 May 2014)

We urge all women of our country to use Africa Day to highlight the
plight of Nigerian girls. On this occasion, as South Africans, we must
reaffirm our commitment to the protection of all our children as well as
the safe return of the kidnapped Nigerian girls.

Children's Day (1 June 2014)

On Sunday, 1 June, the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will utilise the official Children's Day Event to draw national and international attention to the plight of the Nigerian children. On the same day, MDM structures will participate in prayer and picketing activities and also observe a moment of silence.

Call to action

We call upon all South Africans to join the ANC Women's League and our
partners  in this campaign. We further call upon all Africans and the
people of the world to unite behind the people and government of Nigeria
to ensure that these innocent girls are returned home safely. We urge the
international community to uphold its commitments to women's rights, as
well as commitments they have made to ensure the protection of girl
children.

Together, we must do more than what we have been doing until now to ensure the safe return of our children. We call on our media to ensure that the plight of the children of Nigeria remain on our news diaries until their safe return. Let us spare a thought for these innocent children. We dare not fail them! Surrender to evil forces is not be an
option.