Lungile Ntimba
President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a pledge against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in South Africa in line with promises he made during the State of the Nation Address at the beginning of the year.
Ramaphosa gave his commitment to support the virtual National Pledge and urged all societies to work together to end GBVF which he described as the country’s ‘second pandemic’.
“As South Africans, we must stand united and take action to end this scourge which has plagued our nation for far too long” Ramaphosa said.
He launched the call to action by signing the pledge alongside men from all sectors of society at Pofadder, Northern Cape on an occasion to celebrate Women’s Month.
Northern Cape Premier, Zamani Saul and the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes were among the first signatories who joined Ramaphosa in signing the pledge.
In his speech, Ramaphosa made it clear that GBVF have no place in our society and said the pledge will commit all men to be allies and part of the solution in maintaining a positive behaviour of being responsible for their actions.
“By signing this pledge, you are making a personal commitment to be part of the solution for creating a safer, and more equitable society for all” he said.
Ramaphosa said he believes that the national pledge is the solution to end violence against women as it commits all men to respect women’s rights and treat them as equals with dignity.
The President called on men who live by positive values to assist other men to mend their conduct and to report instances of abuse and related wrongdoing in our society.
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