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The Inkatha Freedom Party calls for viable programmes to stop violence against women and children since marches, meaningless slogans and fancy banners have proven to be futile in stopping this scourge that is tearing our communities apart.

“Our government has held far too many marches and launched numerous programmes in its attempt to stop violence against women and children. Proof that all of these attempts have been futile is evident in the rising number of cases of abuse of women and children that are being reported daily. But our government still insists on hosting marches.

A wise man once said that the height of madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. These marches might serve to create awareness, but they do not address the root cause of such violence nor do they do anything to prevent further acts of violence against defenceless women and children.

It is time that we must all agree that the time for complacency is long gone, has passed and belongs to another era. Now is the time for stronger action and creative ideas aimed at prevention,” said IFP National Chairman and Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.

“As the IFP we call on all good men to be role models for their sons and other men and speak out when they witness domestic violence. Women and children cannot continue to live constantly under siege and exist in communities where they are not all enjoying the fruits of our constitutional democracy. We are calling upon our citizens to stand up and speak out against the violence within their communities. Men need to be at the forefront of campaigns within communities in order send the message that violence against women and children is unacceptable wherever they live.

Investigating domestic violence takes crime fighting resources away from crime prevention. It is time that the legislation around domestic violence and abuse of women and children is revisited in order for the criminal justice system to have the muscle to send a strong message to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes.

While our justice system must be empowered to mete out harsh punishment, all social structures must be mobilised and provided with resources to work within communities and with families in order to prevent violence from occurring. There has to be the necessary political will to treat this scourge as a priority.

Instead of taking to the streets and shouting out meaningless slogans, government needs to strengthen our laws and end this cycle of violence through education”, concluded Mr Gwala

Issued by IFP